Parade will kick off Memorial Day

Observance in cemetery will

follow on Monday

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A parade with two high school bands, veterans organizations, the New Ulm Battery, Boy and Girl scouts and school children kicks off Memorial Day Observance 2002.

The parade will form on Minnesota Street, between 5th and 7th South and begin at 9 a.m. It will continue north on Minnesota Street and end at Johnson Park.

The parade will be led by massed colors of veterans organizations, the New Ulm Fire Department and Minnesota National Guard. Other parade units are the New Ulm Battery, New Ulm High and Cathedral High School bands, veterans organizations, Auxiliary units, Gold Star Parents, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and school children.

In case of rain, services will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the National Guard Armory, 205 N. Broadway.

The New Ulm City Cemetery Observance begins at 10 a.m. New Ulm Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Will Burdorf will be Master of Ceremonies.

The observance will include a snare drum escort provided by the New Ulm Municipal Band, followed by the Color Guard. The band and the Concord Singers will perform musical selections.

The Gettysburg Address will be read by New Ulm High School senior Tim Hellendrung.

The Memorial Address will be given by Brigadier General Rick Erlandson of Maple Grove. Erlandson is the Assistant Adjutant General supporting the Minnesota National Guard. He is the Chief Advisor to the Adjutant General on all Army Guard combat support and service support equipment.

More musical selections will be performed by the Municipal Band and the Concord Singers.

A traditional salute will be performed by the New Ulm Comrades of Valor Honor Guard, followed by a salute by the New Ulm Battery.

After a moment of silence for all deceased Brown County veterans for the past year, Dennis Buck will play taps and Roman Kahle will follow with an echo.

The Municipal Band, Concord Singers and the audience will sing the National Anthem. All participants are invited to a lunch at the American Legion Clubrooms, 13 S. Minnesota, after the program.

The Avenue of Flags will be displayed, weather permitting, until 4 p.m. Cemetery Avenue flag poles have been purchased by veterans family members.

Bronze flag staffs and flags were placed in the Veterans Section of the cemetery by the Cub Scouts beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday. Personnel will be at the cemetery to assist with flags and staffs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon Sunday and Monday, following the program until noon.

Downtown businesses are asked to display their flags at half-staff until noon, Memorial Day.