Indoors or out, it's still the day to honor nation's veterans
Memorial Day 2008
CAMP RIPLEY - The show must go on.
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The threat of rain Sunday forced the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery's annual Memorial Day program indoors to the John W. Vessey Recreation and Training Center at Camp Ripley.
Despite the change of venue, more than 1,000 people packed the center for the program, now in its 14th year.
David Swantek, director at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Day program chairman, said despite clear skies early Sunday morning a quick-moving rain shower forced the program to move.
"The thing that made me nervous was how quick it came up," Swantek said before the start of Sunday's ceremony. "Music is such a big part of our program with the band and the vocal music and here we are clouding up again. I think we probably made right decision.
Norma Brink, Rockville, (left) placed flowers on the grave of her husband, Donald E. Brink, who was drafted into World War I and also served in World War II and Korea, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Sunday north of Little Falls. Helping Norma was her daughter, Dianne Thomes, and grandson, Lucas Thomes. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"It's never an easy thing to try to figure out. One thing that's unpredictable is the weather. Fortunately Camp Ripley has always been gracious to allow us to use this facility as a back up."
Memorial Service Committee Chairman Elphege Mrozek said he had hoped to have the ceremony at the cemetery because so much work went into making the grounds look good.
"It broke my heart," to have to change venues because of the weather, Mrozek said.
Though attendees traded in the green grass for metal folding chairs, the Memorial Day program didn't miss a scheduled beat.
David Hanson (left) Stan Franck and Ed Nelson of the Pine River American Legion Color Guard stood at attention Sunday after firing the 21-rifle salute during a memorial service at Camp Ripley. The squad is a regular at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, serving as a color guard for funerals. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"It's wonderful that we're all able to come together to remember the sacrifice of those who stood up to be counted when the United States of America needed them most," said Jack Peck, Memorial Service Committee member and program master of ceremonies.
The program featured: Paynesville resident Bill Ryan, a Vietnam War veteran, as its keynote speaker; the dedication of a Korean War memorial for the veterans cemetery; several songs from the group Water into Wine; musical arrangements from the Richfield Symphonic Band; the reading of a proclamation from Gov. Tim Pawlenty; and the reading of the names of Minnesota soldiers who lost their lives in the past year.
Ryan's speech focused on gifts in his life - friendship, faith and love. He talked about his entrance into the Army, befriending a man who later was killed in Vietnam, being paralyzed from the waist down by a land mine while traveling to Cambodia with his mechanized unit and about making his peace with God during his recovery.
The Brainerd Civil Air Patrol unit performed a rifle routine at a Memorial Day event Sunday at Camp Ripley. The routine was to be performed at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, but was moved to Camp Ripley because of weather concerns. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"As you can see, my most valued gifts don't have any wrapping paper, nor did they have a ribbon," Ryan said. "I promised to remind all of us about a gift already received, a gift that maybe we don't take enough time sometimes to think about or appreciate. On behalf of all women and men who are veterans of the Armed Forces of United States of America, our gift to you today and every day is this American flag, which represents the freedom under which we live."
Ryan asked those in attendance to never bring disgrace or dishonor to the American flag.
For those asked to serve in the Armed Forces, Ryan said they do so with honor and pride and to fight with every ounce of strength they had, as veterans had done before them.
Guest speaker Bill Ryan delivered a Memorial Day address Sunday at Camp Ripley before a full house. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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He also asked the young people in the crowd to keep America on the path toward human rights, democracy and freedom for everyone.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.