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October 17, 1999
Veterans prepare for Memorial ceremonyBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Brown County veterans organizations have been working long and hard to build a fitting memorial to those who have served in the military. Their work is nearing its end. Two special dedication services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 11 (Veteran's Day) in New Ulm for a Brown County Veterans memorial being built on the county courthouse grounds. The first service will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Brown County Courthouse Square. If the weather is bad, the afternoon program will take place in Turner Hall. An evening dedication service will be at 7 p.m. at Martin Luther College Gymnasium. "We think it will be a good event both afternoon and evening," said Jerome Bentz, one of the organizers for the memorial construction and dedication and Commander of the American Legion Seifert-Bianchi Post 132. Bentz will also be the Master of Ceremonies for both dedication services. The memorial is built to honor the past, present and future veterans of Brown County who served during peacetime and also during conflicts. The planning and construction process for the memorial has taken two years. The veterans honored by the memorial must have served during the Indian Wars, Mexican Wars, American Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Era, and the Gulf War. The memorial stones were put into place Friday and the paver blocks with the inscribed names of the veterans and the landscaping and sodding will be added this week. "Our first priority was to find a keynote speaker. We asked John W. Vessey, retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and he said 'yes' right away," said Bentz, "Finding a second keynote speaker was the next priority." John W. Vessey, of Minneapolis, has served in the United States military for 46 years beginning in 1939 as a private in the Minnesota and ending in 1985 in his second term as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, (1982-1985 he served former United States President Ronald Reagan). He now lives in north-central Minnesota in Crow Wing County. There will be a reception open to the public for Vessey at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Legion Club rooms. Doyle Larson, of Burnsville, a retired Major General in the United States Air Force and Chairman of the Board Air Force Association was chosen to be the second keynote speaker for the evening dedication service. Larson, originally from Madelia, enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and has served as a Russian linguist, a radar observer, and Chief of Language training in the Security Service. He has also served in the National Security Agency, Air Force Intelligence, and the Electronic Security Command. Highlights of the afternoon service include dedication remarks by U.S. Congressman David Minge, remarks by Major General Rodney A. Hannula who is Commander of the 34th (Red Bull) Infantry Division, an aircraft flyover by Air National Guard C-130, and a salute to the colors by the New Ulm Battery. Music for the service will be provided by a Brown County High School band. This band will be formed by students from every area of Brown County. "One of the things I'm really excited about is the band of five Brown County high schools. I'm really pleased with that," said Bentz, "Burg's Battery is also a nice salute. They will do a volley of three rounds." The public is invited to a social reception and luncheon at 3 p.m. following the afternoon dedication service. The reception will be held at the American Legion Post 132 Clubroom on Minnesota Street, New Ulm and concludes at 5 p.m. The evening dedication program begins at 7 p.m. and features a keynote address by Doyle Larson, the Minnesota Army National Guard 34th (Red Bull) Division Band, and remarks by Daniel Ludwig American who was Legion past national commander and Ron Henke who is director of the Veterans Administration Regional Office. Other program remarks will be given by Brigadier General Al Smith, assistant adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard and also by John Kreye, commander of the local 1st battalion, 125th field artillery. Music will also be provided by the Concord Singers, the Martin Luther College Choir and Shannon Stuckey. Approximately 1,190 paver blocks have been purchased for the memorial and 1,050 blocks are estimated to be in place by the time of the service, Bentz said. Applications to purchase Brown County Veterans memorial paver blocks are still being taken. There is room for 1500 paver blocks surrounding the memorial. Contact Terry Ferdinandt, Brown County Veteran Service Officer for an application (507)233-6636.
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