Memorial Day observances on the radio, in-person, and on TV
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, and even during a pandemic there many local opportunities to mark to occasion.
Traditional Memorial Day observances in Lake City, Red Wing, Wabasha and Kellogg have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 stay at home orders.
Q-Media, owners of radio stations in Red Wing, Lake City and Wabasha, will air Memorial Day radio programs at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day.
The Red Wing program will air on KCUE – 1250 AM. The Lake City program will air on KLCH - Lake Hits 95 (94.9 FM). The Red Wing and Lake City programs will feature keynote address: “Why History Matters” by Colonel B. Wayne Quist, USAF-Retired.
The Wabasha program will air on WBHA (1190 AM and 99.7 FM). The keynote speaker will be Mike Smith, editor of the Wabasha Herald newspaper.
All the programs will honor veterans who have died since last Memorial Day and will feature music appropriate for observance of Memorial Day, according to a news release.
The Zumbro Falls VFW’s Memorial Day will take place in as usual with attendees asked to follow social distancing guidelines. Their day begins at 8:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Lake City, followed by 9:15 a.m. at Lincoln Church Cemetery, Zumbro Falls, 9:45 a.m. at Zumbro Falls Cemetery in Zumbro Falls, 10:30 a.m. at Dale Cemetery in Zumbro Falls, and 11 a.m. at St. Clements Cemetery in Hammond. A Hammond Bridge ceremony will immediately follow the St. Clements Cemetery service.
Millville Legion Post 579 has decided to conduct its Memorial Day services in Millville as planned on the May 25 holiday while advising anyone who takes part to do so safely.
People who attend are asked to follow social distancing guidelines.
Millville Legion service schedule:
• 7:45 a.m., St. Patrick’s Cemetery in West Albany
• 8:30 a.m., Millville Cemetery in Millville
• 8:45 a.m., Old Swedish Cemetery in Millville
• 9 a.m., Millville bridge in Millville
• 9:30 a.m., Hilltop Cemetery
• 9:45 a.m., Bremen Cemetery
• 10 a.m., Potsdam Cemetery in Potsdam
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) will hold a virtual Memorial Day program this year in place of live events at the three State Veterans Cemeteries where past years drew thousands of visitors.
MDVA is partnering with Twin Cities PBS-TPT to create a 30-minute Memorial Day program entitled “Always Remember: A Minnesota Tribute to Veterans we’ve lost,” that will be broadcast across the state on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25.
The program will include remarks from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke, personal stories about those honored on Memorial Day, music and a rifle salute traditionally included in a live event.