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SPECIAL PROGRAM - 10th Anniversary of the dedication of the Memorial
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Saturday June 26th at 2:00 PM there will be a special program at Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial, 300 7th St SW, Rochester.
This program is to remember the tenth Anniversary of the dedication of the Memorial.
A replica of The Tomb of the Unknowns, AKA Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, will be on display at the Memorial from noon Saturday to noon Sunday and there will be a short installation ceremony at 12:30.
The program at 2:00 will include:
The 34th Infantry (Red Bull Division) Band performing patriotic
music before and during the program.
Special talk by Harry Kerr, combat Veteran and charter member of
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial.
VFW Post 1215 Color posting colors and firing rifle volley.
Reading of a poem written especially for this occasion by
Jane Belau, Poet Laureate of SFVM.
Food will be available on site from 11:00 to 5:00 from the
Knights of Columbus, Assembly 548.
We ask that you do not park at Zumbro Lutheran Church
but across the street from the church.
For further information
Wayne Stillman
289 8981
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THANK YOU to the J.A.Wedum Foundation for their support to Honor Flight.
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Scott Eggert of Shorewood Senior Campus and Kathleen Hanson of J.A. Wedum Foundation present checks for $34,123.00 and $5,000.00 to Harry Kerr of the Honor Flight.
The check is a result of J.A.Wedum Foundation matching funds that Scott Eggert and the Shorewood Senior Campus staff raised during a fund raiser in September.
( click on photos to enlarge )
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(L to R) Harry Kerr,
Ted Adams,
Kathleen Hansen,
Pete Mathias |
Ted Adams,
Pete Mathias,
Kathleen Hansen
THANK YOU! |
Scott Eggert,
Mike Gould,
Kathleen Hansen,
Harry Kerr |
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May 22, 2009: Rod Lee at Longfellow School
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Rod Lee holding a jar of money collected for Honor Flight
from kids at Longfellow School.
They collected a total of $382.00 in a jar that weighed about 30 pounds.
Great Work - Thank You
( click on photo to enlarge )
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Pastor Phil Shaw receives the Mayor's Medal of Honor December 9 2008.
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Pastor Phil Shaw of New Life Worship Center, our partner in Veterans programs, receives the Mayor's Medal of Honor on December 9 2008.
( click on photos to enlarge )
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Pastor Phil Shaw at the Mayor's Medal of Honor ceremony |
Pastor Phil Shaw and his wife Faith |
Pastor Shaw and Mayor Ardell Brede |
We congratulate Pastor Shaw and thank him for all the work and support he and his Church give for our Veterans.
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February 5, 2009: THANK YOU to Peoples Cooperative Services
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On Thursday, February 5, 2009 – Kathy Sveen, Operation Round Up® Board Chair presented a donation to SE Minnesota Honor Flight.
Operation Round Up® funds are generated through voluntary rounding up of cooperative members’ electric bills
to the nearest dollar. These tax deductible donations are placed into a trust fund, governed by a separate Board of Trustees. Program participation has grown from 1,180 accounts to currently over 14,500 accounts. Monthly contributions on an individual account could be anywhere from one cent to nine-ninety cents. Small change making a big difference.
A Board of Trustees comprised of seven People’s Cooperative members provides oversight to the Operation Round Up® program. Program funds are held separately from People’s finances. An increase in participation means an increase in contributions, amounting in more funding available.
( click on photo to enlarge )
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Pete Mathias (L) and Ted Adams (R) representing SE MN Honor Flight
receiving the donation from Kathy Sveen, Operation Round Up® Chair |
Our thanks and appreciation to
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People's Cooperative
Services |
for your support to the SE Minnesota Honor Flight
( view press release ) 70KB pdf file |
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JULY 4, 2009 - The Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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( available now: view the photos from this event )
Rochester Downtown Alliance
&
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee
Presents
The Traveling
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
At The
Downtown Peace Plaza
1st Ave and 1st St SW Rochester, MN.
  
The Memorial, along with a caisson will arrive at noon Friday
and be on display until noon on Sunday, Day & Night, Rain or Shine
July 4th – 4:00 pm Program
Including Wreath Laying and guest speaker from The Old Guard
Here Rests
In Honored Glory
An American Soldier
Known But To God
A Very Special Thank You to our sponsors:
Ken Zubay Sr. - DOUBLETREE Hotel - Hilton Garden Inn - Perkins Restaurants of Rochester
J P Zubay City Market - Kahler Grand Hotel - Michael's Restaurant - Pannekoeken Restaurants
Throndson Oil & LP Co. - MN Patriot Guard - American Legion Post 92 - VFW Post 1215
Rochester Police and Fire Dept. - Olmsted County Sheriff’s Dept. - Rochester Park Dept.
MN State Patrol - Perkins Restaurants of Rochester
Elks Lodge 1091 - Renning’s Flowers -
Macken Funeral Home
and all who volunteered to make this event happen.
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Wreaths Across America coming to Rochester, Minnesota
on December 13, 2008
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The ceremony will be held again this year at the
New Life Worship Center
6301 34th Ave NW
Rochester Minnesota
on December 13, 2008 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 11:00 Central time there
will be similar ceremonies.
We are requesting that everyone, stop for a minute of silence
at 11:00 to remember and reflect.
The complete press release: Wreaths Across America
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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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CUDE
AWARD for NEW CONSTRUCTION in 2000 |
Rochester's Committee on Urban Design and Environment (CUDE)
selected the
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
as the recipient
of CUDE's annual award for new construction in 2000.
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THE
KOREAN WAR VETERANS CLUB |
The Korean War Veterans Club meets every Monday morning
at 8:00 AM at Grandma's Kitchen Restaurant in Silver Lake Shopping
Center. All Korean Veterans are welcome and invited to attend.
For information contact Wayne Uptagrafft at 288 8350 or Lyle Lubahn at
282 5479
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"GOLDEN
DEEDS AWARD" PRESENTED
TO CAROL STILLMAN |
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GOLDEN
DEEDS AWARD
Carol Stillman was selected for this honor in part for her
support of the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial.
CONGRATULATIONS CAROL! |
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"BEFORE
YOU GO"
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Friends:
Veterans of WWII are now dying at a rate of about 2,000
per day. I
encountered the following article in the Union-Tribune this
morning,
and checked out the referenced song (http://www.beforeyougo.us).
It is ... an OUTSTANDING song in
memory of our
WWII veterans.
Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach
- a member of
Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band
- have written a song
inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot.
The mournful "Before You Go" does more than
salute those who fought in WWII. It
encourages people to go out of their way to thank the
aging warriors
before they die. "If we had lost that particular
war, our whole way of life would
have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "Every
ethnic
minority would be dead. And the old soldiers are now dying
at the
rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to
thank them."
The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock
placing
it on the Web (www.beforeyougo.us http://www.beforeyougo.us),
the
song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around
nine countries,
producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their
sons and
daughters and grandchildren.
Provided by Merle Peterson |
JUST
RELEASED... "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS RALLY
II" on DVD
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If you attended the Rally on June 25, 2005,
you know what a moving experience this was. Thanks to the MLT
Group, the entire program was professionally recorded and is now
available for purchase.
If you were unable to attend the Rally, here is your opportunity
to experience this spectacular event.
Order your copy of this DVD |
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LETTERS
AND DOCUMENTS - HAROLD THOMAS TIERNEY
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This is your opportunity to read a series of letters and documents
between Harold Tierney and his mother before
he was lost at sea in WWII.
Our thanks and appreciation
to Eileen Tierney for making this collection of letters and
documents available.
Harold Tierney - Letters |
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"SUPPORT
THE TROOPS RALLY"
JUNE
25 2005 |
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"Support the Troops Rally" to be held at the Veterans Memorial Sat. June 25 at
11:00 AM. It will be preceded by a parade of motorcycles, classic cars and emergency
vehicles that will start at Rochester Technical College at 9:30 and end at the
Memorial. The program will feature the landing of a Blackhawk helicopter, speakers
and music.
Seating will be available and refreshments will also be available
free.
Further information:
Wayne Stillman
289 8981
Terry Throndson
289 2519
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10 WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE (June 24, 2004)
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Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee among recipients of 10
Who Make a Difference Awards.
A group that worked to get a veterans memorial built in Rochester
and an amateur radio club that sends emergency radio telegrams were
among the recipients of the 10 Who make a Difference Awards announced
Wednesday during Rochester Fest. The awards, which have been given
annually since 1991, are sponsored by the United Way of Olmsted
County's Volunteer Center and KTTC.
Thursday, June 24, 2004 (Post-Bulletin Company, LLC, Rochester Minnesota)
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IF SHOE BOXES ARE NEEDED call 282-8796 |
If Shoe Boxes are needed for the purpose of sending comfort items
to our troops - Contact the US Army Reserve Center located at 1715
Marion Road SE
Phone 507-282-8796.
Thank you.
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News Archives
