Lakewood Cemetery Honors Veterans With Music, Speakers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One of the largest Memorial Day events in the Twin Cities took place at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Lakewood has a 22-year tradition of bringing together music and speakers on Memorial Day to honor military members who have served our country.
That tradition continued Monday with hundreds of people turning out to remember those who are no longer with us, but whose memories live on.
Music set the tone for a national holiday created so that we could reflect on our nation's past.
"It means a lot to me. The soldiers I served with, some of them passed away over there," said Vietnam veteran Richard Wisland. "I'm very fortunate that I came back with all my limbs, a lot of soldiers didn't."
Coon Rapids couple Nathan and Mary Joyce Huston brought their five kids to the ceremony.
"We enjoyed it. Last year was our first time that we had done one, and so this year we did it again," said Nathan Huston. "We just enjoyed it. They are fascinated by all the different aspects and it's a great teaching opportunity. We enjoyed it as a family."
"It gets us back to our roots as Americans. I think we forget where we came from, and we're quickly disappearing from that," Mary Joyce Huston said. "It gets us back to why our nation was founded."
Their oldest child, Titus, is 13 years old.
"I think it's a good chance to remember them and be thankful for the freedoms that they fought for," said Titus.
Felicia Castro always leaves flowers at the grave site of her husband on Memorial Day. With her sons and granddaughter by her side, she's also filled with memories of her father.
"Memorial Day is very special for me because my father was World War II veteran, and he died," said Castro. "So it is just very sacred."
The ceremony at Lakewood Cemetery ended with the release of doves Monday afternoon.
Visitors could also check out some art exhibits inside the chapel and take guided tours of the grounds.