Remembering courage, sacrifice

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Cannon shots from the Berg's Battery echoed around the Minnesota River Valley Monday morning, sending sound waves powerful enough to set off car alarms at Memorial Day Observance 2002 in New Ulm City Cemetery.

Under warm sunshine, the crowd listened to New Ulm Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Will Burdorf and Brigadier General Rick Erlandson of Maple Grove as they described the true meaning of Memorial Day.

"For too many, Memorial Day weekend means extended barbecues and shopping," Burdorf said. "The real meaning of Memorial Day -- honoring servicemen who gave their lives or came home disabled and troubled, never able to live life to the fullest -- has been lost to many people. The real meaning is to hear of the courage and sacrifice of those that died for our country. Remember, freedom is not freedom."

Erlandson pointed to sacrifices made by war veterans.

"Thousands of men had their lives cut short so we might enjoy liberty and freedom," Erlandson said.

He cited Native Americans for making a greater per-capita contribution in World War II, when more than 20 percent of them served in the Pacific and European theaters.

Erlandson mentioned the movie, "Windtalkers," which centered on the Navajo tribe and their codes that were never broken. Choctaw tribe war veterans and their World War I code also saved many casualties and their codes are unbroken, although that fact is rarely recognized.

Americans owe veterans a debt of gratitude every day of the year, Erlandson said.

He addressed the current war on terrorism.

"We're in a war we did not seek, but will absolutely win, but not without costs," Erlandson said. "This war will be fought differently than any other. It has many fronts with terrorists in 60 countries including our own."

He described terrorists as people representing only evil who seek to destroy civilized nations and the spirit of America. Every hope of the free world depends on the absolute defeat of all terrorists in the world. There is no other way to peace, Erlandson said.

"Terrorists may have destroyed the lives of many innocent citizens last September, but they can't destroy the American spirit," Erlandson said. "We truly are one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. God bless each and every one of you and the United States of America."