BEMIDJI — Despite a steady drizzle, around a hundred community members gathered together on Monday morning at Greenwood Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor those who have died while serving their country. After the presentation of the colors by members of the Honor Guard and junior ROTC, Ralph Gracie American Legion Post No. 14 Commander Steve Jewett led attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Past Commander Joe Vene then sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a POW flag was posted in honor of the many prisoners of war and those unaccounted for in all wars and conflicts involving the United States. "Father, we're gathered here together to honor the memory of those who served and those who gave their lives in the line of duty," Chaplain Ken Glidden said during an opening prayer. "Father, we thank you for their service.
Help us to always remember and live our lives accordingly so that we, too, may dedicate ourselves toward the calling that we had." Jewett welcomed attendees to the service before introducing guest speaker, and and host of "Lakeland Currents" on Lakeland PBS. Haugen shared the history of Memorial Day, which was originally established as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, to honor the over 600,000 casualties in the American Civil War.
The holiday became Memorial Day in 1971 and was expanded to include American soldiers killed in every war. "We have many holidays that are celebrations, though to me, Memorial Day is not one of them," Haugen said. "E.
