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Southeastern Minnesota HONOR FLIGHT
SECOND TRIP TO FLY WW II VETS ON OCTOBER 8, 2008
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Southeastern Minnesota HONOR FLIGHT
SECOND TRIP TO FLY WW II VETS ON October 8, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Honor Flight program is spreading its wings. The SECOND Southeastern Minnesota Honor Flight will take to the skies with WWII veterans from Southeast Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and Northern Iowa. Their destination will be Washington D. C., where they will personally tour America’s “Thank You” for their service, their World War II Memorial.
If you could support this SECOND Southeastern Honor Flight, please send your tax deductible check to:
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial (mark it “Honor Flight”)
201 4th St SE, RM 150,
Rochester, MN 55904
To Participate or to Contribute - Read: The Press Release
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Southeastern Minnesota HONOR FLIGHT
INITIAL TRIP TO FLY WW II VETERANS ON April 19 2008 |
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Southeastern Minnesota HONOR FLIGHT
INITIAL TRIP TO FLY WW II VETS ON April 19 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Honor Flight program is spreading its wings. The first Southeastern Minnesota Honor Flight will take to the skies with WWII veterans from Southeast Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and Northern Iowa. Their destination will be Washington D. C., where they will personally tour America’s “Thank You” for their service, their World War II Memorial.
To Participate or to Contribute - Read: The Press Release
VIEW PHOTOS
(each album will open one new window in your browser)
( pop-ups must be enabled )
Travel to DC
Arrival in DC
Veterans touring Memorials
Welcome Home all VETERANS!
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"Wreaths Across America" ABC 6 NEWS Coverage |
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"Wreaths Across America" coming to Rochester, Minnesota on December 15, 2007 |
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Harrington, Maine – Wreaths Across America coming to
Rochester, Minnesota on December 15, 2007
The ceremony this year at the New Life Worship Center, 6301 34th Ave NW on December 15, 2007 from 11:00 to 11:45 where seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember those who gave their lives in service for our country.
All across the country at 12:00 Central time there will be similar ceremonies. We are requesting that everyone, stop for a minute of silence at 12:00 to remember and reflect. Specially made wreaths for Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA will be placed during a short program followed by a caravan to the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial where the wreaths will be placed in the Memorial with a short ten minute ceremony.
The ceremony at New Life Worship will include Posting of the Colors by VFW Post 1215 and taps. Families of all branches of the service will be represented and everyone is encouraged to attend to honor those who have fought to defend our freedoms.
December 15 will mark the 16th anniversary of Maine wreaths being donated to decorate the graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, where over 1000 volunteers honor our nation’s heroes by placing wreaths on their grave stones. This is the second year of a national campaign dubbed Wreaths Across America that will bring the same remembrance wreaths to over 230 National and State Veterans cemeteries and memorials across the nation.
All of these specially made wreaths are donated by Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. The full story can be seen and heard on line at the below Wreaths Across America Website
In addition to these ceremonial wreaths U.S. Civil Air Patrol has joined with Wreaths Across America to promote sponsored wreaths from the general public that also will be laid on Veterans graves across the country.
If you would like to sponsor a wreath please call
Wayne Stillman at 507 289 8981 for more information.
Sponsors can also donate on line at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org or www.cap.gov/visitors/donations
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Veterans Day - Rochester - November 11, 2007 |
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There will be a Veterans Day program preceded by a free breakfast
on Sunday, November 11, 2007.
Location: New Life Worship Center at intersection of 65th Street and Highway 52 North
Breakfast: from 8:30 to 10:00 am courtesy of Canadian Honker Restaurant
Program: from 10:30 to 11:30 am with Tim Walz and
Governor Tim Pawlenty as featured speakers, introduction by Dave Senjem,
also Color Guards, entertainment, moment of silence at 11:00 and taps.
For additional information, call 289 - 8981
(following link added 12/04/07)
View photos from the 2007 Veterans Day program
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More Than You Know - September 27, 2007 |
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The Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial was selected for
Rochester’s More Than You Know category of “Known at Night.”
(click photo
to enlarge)
Pictured are Steve Skogen and Rich Peterson of KROC Radio, and Wayne Stillman Memorial Chairman (center) accepting the award given by
the Rochester Convention Bureau.
(photo courtesy of Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau)
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Announcing the “9-11 Service Appreciation” program on Tuesday, Sept 11, 2007 |
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There will be a “9-11 Service Appreciation” program, at the Rochester Veterans Memorial, Tuesday, Sept 11 from 5:00 to 8:00, followed by a candle light ceremony.
We will serve MRE’s (Meals Ready To Eat) for $15.00 to civilians. The MRE’s are what are troops eat while in the field and are great for emergencies or for camping, boating or traveling.
All Sheriff’s personnel, Police personnel, Firefighters, First Responders, and Military who have served since 9-11-01 within a fifty mile radius of Rochester will be served FREE pork sandwiches, potato salad etc. There will also be Hot Dogs for the kids, Pepsi, Water, coffee and cookies for sale.
Come down and meet the people who are on the front lines protecting us and eat what the troops are eating.
Food, music and companionship from 5:00 to 8:00.
Fox 102.5 will furnish the music and selected interviews.
This is a program to show our appreciation for everyone who has served since 9-11-01 and also a fund raiser for Veterans Hospice Care for room and board at Seasons Hospice.
Room and board are not covered by VA benefits, Medicare or most insurance so this is a way of thanking our Veterans, whom we owe so much. A presentation of a $10,000.00 check for V4V will be presented by DAV representatives.
All first responders, troops, etc from a fifty mile radius of Rochester will also be eligible for attendance prizes.
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Wayne Stillman, the Chairman of the Memorial Committee, Receives National Award |
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(click photo
to enlarge) |
Wayne Stillman, Chairman of the Memorial Committee
Award Ceremony in Washington D.C.
Bonnie Kottschade, DAR local President
Madam President General of the National DAR
Wayne Stillman and Carol Stillman
Photo taken in a meeting room at the National DAR Headquarters, about two blocks from the White House.
(a meeting room
where every President of the United States has held meetings when they want privacy)
( see additional information below ) |
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JUST ADDED to the SFVM website |
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Just added - an additional "search" feature to enable you to quickly search this site for
a specific news item, an event in history or a name.
We invite you to give this new feature a "test drive."
SEARCH SITE
This new search feature is also available under the "News" navigation menu.
Please note that the Memorial Wall and the walkway Pavers are NOT included in this search.
On the page for the Memorial Wall and the Pavers, you will find
special search options for these areas of the site.
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NOW AVAILABLE: The new Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Magazine |
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The new Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Magazine, priced at $5.00 will go on sale
Monday the 18th at the Rochester Fest booth
with all proceeds going to deserving Veterans or Veterans affairs.
The book contains the names and location of all pavers, wall names and tree pavers. There are several articles from local leaders and contains the full development history of the Memorial, including pictures from the start of the Memorial to the present.
There also are many informative articles including proper care and etiquette of the American Flag, the story of the US Air Force and songs written especially for the Memorial.
Please send check for $7.00 (Memorial Magazine & postage) to:
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
201 4th St SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Or pick up your copy at:
City Market
212 - 1st Ave SW, Rochester, MN.
or
Eagle Drug Store
23 - 2nd Street SW,
Rochester, MN.
(one block from the Mayo Clinic)
or
Throndson Oil & LP Gas Co.
2525 Schuster Ln NW,
Rochester, MN.
see Other Locations where the Magazine is Available
view Memorial Magazine cover
Further information:
Ken Zubay 282 8796
Wayne Stillman 289 8981
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| Wayne Stillman, the Chairman of the Memorial Committee, Receives National Award |
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Wayne Stillman has been recognized for his contributions and leadership by the
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
This nationwide, First Place Community Service Award will be presented to Wayne Stillman at a special ceremony during a meeting of the Continental Congress of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution),
on June 30th, 2007 in Washington, D.C.
"This is the first time that anyone from Minnesota has won these awards," Stillman said.
"I am not going for me but to represent all of southeast Minnesota and everyone
that put time and effort into this project."
Wayne Stillman, the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial committee chairman, had previously won the Rochester award, the statewide award and the North Central Division awards. The annual awards recognize deserving people for outstanding achievements in educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical, conservation of citizenship endeavors. The award is presented to a person who gives voluntary contributions to his or her community. Stillman was nominated by the Rochester Chapter DAR.
Wayne, from your colleagues and friends - CONGRATULATIONS - well deserved!
(excerpts from the Rochester Post Bulletin)
view Post Bulletin article
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Terry Throndson and Scott Strain clean Cannons at Memorial to prepare for Memorial Day. |
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Terry Throndson power washes the Memorial to prepare for Memorial Day.. |
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The most important part of the SFVM Committee... |
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The most important part of the SFVM Committee:
The wives of the members who
without their help the committee would be lost.
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An Airman, A Medal, and 61 Years: Sergeant John W. Ahern |
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This article was originally written for and published in the 452nd Bomb Group Reunion Association’s newsletter
provided by Mike Walsh
( link to article )
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Dedication of the WWII Soldier statue on Sept 24, 2005 |
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Dedication of WWII Soldier statue was held on Sept 24, 2005. The dedication was led by Rod Lee with Craig Qualey-Fisher as the main speaker.
The funds for the WW II Soldier statue that is located at 6th St and 2nd Ave SW were donated by Gus Chafoulias, Rodney Young and Jim McPeek. The concrete work for the base was donated by Bill Tilford Concrete and DeWitz Construction.
At the dedication of the statue the main speaker was Craig Qualey Fisher, Commander of VFW Post 1215, his speech is attached.
The sculpture for the statue was Paul Rieffer.
click to view dedication speech
(Adobe™ pdf file ~10KB)
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"SUPPORT
THE TROOPS RALLY III "
Sept 23 2006 |
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"Support the Troops Rally III " will be held at the Veterans Memorial on September 23rd, 2006 at
2:00 pm. It will be preceded by a parade that starts from the Rochester Community Technical College at 12:30 pm and will arrive at the
Memorial at approximately 1:00pm.
Limited seating will be available at the Memorial and refreshments will also be available
free.
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS
The parade route: Starts at RCTC at 12:30 and heads east on 12th St SE to South Broadway then
North to 6th St SW and West to the Memorial.
Program will feature music by Scott Severson, Nicole Woxland, and Hosonna and a talk by Command Sergeant Major John Vacho
a veteran of the Iraq War.
A special appearance will be made by area Gold Star Mothers and there will be banners available for signing that will be sent overseas to the troops.
Further information:
Wayne Stillman
289 8981
Terry Throndson
289 2519
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> > > PRESS RELEASE < < < |
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YOU ARE INVITED
Plans have been finalized for the major event featuring Bob Dole, War hero, former Senator and Presidential candidate, August 26th at 2:00 PM at the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial in Rochester.
The program will be in the field south of the Wall of Remembrance.
This event is also a re-dedication of the Memorial to celebrate the many additions to the Memorial since June 25, 2000 including the latest statues of a Nurse, Medic and wounded soldier to honor the part the medical profession played in the fight for freedom.
The program will celebrate the 100th year birthday of the Rochester School of Nursing and Mayo Clinic's involvement with the military and with the Memorial.
Veterans Service Officers from SE Minnesota and St Paul will be available to assist Veterans and their families with and answer any questions they may have.
The National Guard will fly a Blackhawk Helicopter in for a short time and stay to let people inspect it.
The Reading Center will have a massive Field of 2378 US Flags, each one representing a name on the Wall of Remembrance, on display.
Sponsorship of Flags are still available by calling Bob Nowicki 285 0295 or Wanda Mitchell 252 9841 or by mailing a check to:
Kiwanis Field of Flags
PO Box 534
Rochester, MN 55903
Sponsorship Flags are $25.00 each.
Tom Overlie, Jane Belau and Scott Severson
will provide entertainment during the program.
There will be seating for about 600 people but it is advisable to bring your own seating.
Following the program there will be coffee, cookies and Pepsi courtesy of Canadian Honker, HY Vee and Pepsi. Culligan Water will have water stations positioned around the event area.
Further information:
Wayne Stillman 507 289 8981
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Rochester Kiwanis and Soldiers Field Veteran Memorial Field of Flags Project |
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OBJECTIVE – Fill the field behind the Veteran’s Memorial with 2378 flags, one for each hero on the wall!
(click on photo for more information (view 8KB Adobe pdf document))
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Committee chosen as Grand Marshals at Rochester Fest Grand Parade June 23, 2006 |
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Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee chosen as Grand Marshals
at annual Rochester Fest Grand Parade, June 23, 2006
(click on photo to enlarge)
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U.S. Senator John McCain Visits the Memorial |
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On the evening of April 11, 2006, U.S. Senator John McCain
visited the Memorial.
View a few of the photos of the visit.
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Current News Items
