WORTHINGTON — While the dreary gray skies and threat of impending rain kept Monday morning's Memorial Day service from happening as planned at Chautauqua Park, a crowd gathered in Worthington High School’s gymnasium to remember those who served in the United States Armed Services.
Prior to the ceremony at Worthington High School, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars hosted a series of services at Worthington Memorial Garden Cemetery, St. Mary's Cemetery, Worthington Cemetery, and at Freedom Shore Veterans Memorial Park, before making their way to the school.
With multiple performances by the Worthington City Band — including songs such as “America the Beautiful” and “Nearer My God to Thee,” — the service was interspersed with readings from students and community members alike.
The address was given by Dan Anderson, a sonar technician, and first-class submariner who joined the Navy in 1972. During his twenty-year career in the service, Anderson served on five fast attack submarines and was stationed in the Mediterranean during the Persian Gulf War.
After retiring in 1992, Anderson received his Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 1997, before going on to receive a Master of Science degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in 1998 and his K-12 administration certificate from St. Mary's in 2007.
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Today, he teaches automotive classes in Lamberton and is nearing the completion of his master's degree in history. Anderson is a member of both the Bigelow Legion and the Worthington VFW and said that he was honored to speak at the Memorial Day service.
“Today, I want to honor all the men and women that have given their lives for our country. Both (in) the act of war and also the act of peace,” Anderson said as he addressed the crowd. “(So, too) the many numerous army nurses in World War II that died. We failed to recognize them sometimes; it wasn't always just people in uniform.”
He went on to talk about different aspects of submarine life, the weight of war and his concerns for the future of the war in Ukraine.
“I know this war is going to come to a conclusion, but there’s going to be a lot of lives lost. We’re going to be talking about them in the future too,” he told the crowd somberly, before again thanking them for the honor of being able to speak.
As Anderson returned to his seat, the Worthington City Band began to play the “Service Men's Salute,” and those in the audience who served were allowed a moment to stand as the music for their branch of service was played and the crowd clapped.
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