Community Corner
2013 Memorial Day Plans in Woodbury
Memorial Day, celebrated during the last Monday of May, honors those who have died in service to the U.S. military.
The 2013 Memorial Day observance in Woodbury will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27.
The local event will be held at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of City Hall. It’s hosted by the hosted by the Woodbury VFW Post 9024 and Woodbury Lions Veterans Memorial Council.
Initially founded as Decoration Day in 1869, Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military. It was made an official holiday in 1971.
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The Woodbury event, which typically lasts about an hour, will include:
- The presentation of Colors from Woodbury High AFJROTC.
- Invocation from Pastor Steve Kramer from Shephard of the Valley Lutheran Church in Afton.
- Master of ceremony John Lally (former SGT, INF 101st Airborne), who served in Vietnam.
- Keynote speaker LTC William B. Mozey Jr. Army (ret.).
- Introductory/welcoming remarks by Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens.
- Woodbury American Legion Post 501 and Woodbury VFW Post 9024 Joint Ceremonial Rifle Squad.
- U.S. flag folding ceremony with TAPS presented by the MNANRG Honor Guard.
- Memorial wreath-placing ceremony by U.S. Navy Recruiting Personnel (Woodbury).
- Participation from members of the Civil Air Patrlol, USAF and St. Croix Composite Squadron.
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
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Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans—the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
If you know of other area Memorial Day events, or stories you’d like to share, leave them in the comments section below.
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