Veterans gather in Worthington for Memorial Day service

• Honor guard salute

Members of the Worthington American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and auxiliaries offer an honor guard salute during a Memorial Day service at the Freedom Veterans’ Memorial Park.

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WORTHINGTON — Under a brilliant blue sky and in the shadow of a newly erected gazebo, area veterans conducted the first Memorial Day service Monday morning at the Freedom Veterans’ Memorial on the shores of Lake Okabena.

The memorial was dedicated two years ago, but this was the first year it was placed on the schedule for the Memorial Day observances.

“It’s the same ceremony that they do out at the cemeteries,” Freedom Veterans Memorial Committee member Mike Kuhle explained before the observance got under way.

The memorial park continues to expand in order to serve as a tribute to the area’s many veterans. The original paver beds were built to hold 1,120 pavers that bear the names of area residents who have served their country. Two new paver beds were recently added to accommodate more than 500 additional pavers, Kuhle explained. A 20-foot white gazebo with an intricate cedar roof was completed in time for the service, replacing a smaller structure that was beyond repair.

During the service, the Rev. Jim Krapf of Westminster Presbyterian Church spoke about the origin of “Taps,” which was later played in a duet format by young musicians Aaron Grafing and Wesley Berger. Krapf shared the legend that the melody was found in the pocket of a dead Confederate soldier by his father, who was serving with Union forces.

“Knowing the origin of ‘Taps’ can make us more sympathetic to the sacrifices of military families today,” Krapf suggested before offering a prayer for all, living and dead, who have served their country.

The brief service also featured local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the boys presenting short readings and saluting soldiers from every conflict in which the United States has been involved, while the girls presented floral nosegays. And at the end, there was the traditional flag and gunfire salute by members of the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and auxiliaries.

American Legion member Verlin Ostrem, a veteran of the Army who was stationed in Iran, has participated in the honor guard on Memorial Day for about 25 years and helped to organize this year’s remembrances.

“It just gives you a good feeling right here,” said Ostrem, placing a hand over his heart.

George Habeck, a U.S. Army veteran from the Korean Conflict, also tried to describe the emotions of the Memorial Day holiday.

“It tugs at the heart,” he said, “and gives you good memories of days gone by.”

World War II veteran Dick Koeneke stood proudly holding a flag during the Memorial Day observances, as he has for more than 50 years.

“I’ve commanded it many times and haven’t missed too many funerals, either, some for guys I served with,” he said about his honor guard duties. “I thank the good Lord for preserving my life so I can be here.”

Tags: memorial day, news, worthington, veterans