Large crowd attends Memorial Day event

The Memorial Day program in Minneota on Monday was one of the best-attended in years, according to several local veterans.
After the program in the American Legion building concluded, the rain held off long enough for the outdoor portion of the program at Veterans Park to also be completed.
The event was slated to begin at 10 a.m. at the Legion, but as more and more people kept coming, more chairs had to be brought out, delaying the program by a few minutes.
Shane Rieder, Senior Vice Commander, welcomed those in attendance and introduced guest speaker, 1st Sergeant David “Dude” Myhre of Ghent. Rieder and Myhre spent 15 months together in Afghanistan.
“Let us live by the example of the fallen warriors,” Myhre said. “We hold the fallen in our prayers and every day we should strive to remember the sacrifices they gave us.”
It was comforting to see the youth being involved in the program. Sylvia Rabaey, accompanied by Ruth Bot, eloquently sang two patriotic songs. VFW Voice of Democracy winner Dakoda Hennen and VFW Patriot’s Pen winner Sam Myhre each read their winning essays. Local Boys Stater Joe Voit read the “Gettysburg Address” and local Girls Stater Jaelin Anderson read “In Flanders Field.”
Even three members of the Minneota Cub Scouts were involved, passing out programs prior to the program and then joining the honor guard marching to Veterans Park carrying an American flag. At the park, the Presentation of the Wreath was done by Sr. Vice Commander Rieder. Col. John Engels then read off the names of the new pavers added to Veterans Park in the last year as family members joined him in front.
Military honors were given with a 21-gun salute by members of Minneota-Taunton VFW Post 5334 and Minneota Legion Post 199. Joseph Cheadle and Dawn Van Keulen played “Taps” to conclude the program.