Thousands Visit Ft. Snelling National Cemetery For Memorial Day
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Thousands visited Fort Snelling National Cemetery for its Memorial Day Ceremony.
It's said to be the largest ceremony in the state. It concluded roughly 30 minutes ago and, despite light rain, saw big crowds.
WCCO's Ali Lucia spoke with Senator Amy Klobuchar about Monday's events.
"[They are] to remember those that we've lost and to always, always keep them in our hearts and minds. And if we don't remember them it makes it harder to treat our veterans the way we are supposed to going forward," Klobuchar said.
At the ceremony, Sen. Klobuchar called attention to 2015 being the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII and 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
She shared a story of her trip to Vietnam with former POW and Arizona Senator John McCain. And she asked those in attendance to keep the soldier's creed alive, quoting the passage "I will never leave a fallen comrade."
More than 200,000 military members are buried at Fort Snelling. Six hundred flags were placed along Monday's parade route. The U.S Navy Sea Cadets served as Monday's color guard.
For Cadet Martha Miller and so many others visiting Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Memorial Day is a family tradition.
"A lot of the kids in the unit hope to join the military once they've graduated. So it's a way to meet them, talk to them and honor those who have served for this country," Miller said.
Sarah Abdul, whose husband is a military veteran visits every year.
"We come every year to support those who who've lost their lives, the veterans and just the nature of the holiday. My husband is veteran, my grandfather was a veteran and so this is something we do every year," Abdul said.
It's a time of remembrance and a time to honor those who have fallen for the United States.
"Support our veterans and our fallen soldiers. It's the least we can do for them; they gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. My heart goes out to them. My father is a Vietnam vet, and that's what we do. We're here for the veterans," George "Buck" Swedlund of the Second Brigade Veterans Support Center said.