Memorial Day is the day Americans set aside to honor those brave men and women who met tragic ends during times of war.
We must use this day to honor their sacrifices, to pray for their families, and to bow our heads in recognition of their service. We must never forget. You have seen their faces, heard their names, and maybe even heard their voices – those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during all wars and conflicts.
This Memorial Day, the Crookston Veterans Council, which includes the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, DAV and DAV Auxiliary, VFW Post and VFW Auxiliary members would like to invite Crookston area residents to join us in remembrance of our nation’s fallen heroes.
Our keynote speaker at Oakdale Cemetery Program this year is Mark LeTexier.
We invite you to pause on Monday, May 27 to remember those who have fought for our freedoms. We participate in rain or shine in honor of all our veterans, military and their families. Our military serves rain or shine, so we honor them by doing the same.
The schedule for services (rain or shine) is as follows:
7:45 a.m. bus leaves from the VFW Post 1902
8:20 a.m. Hafslo Lutheran Church Cemetery
9:00 a.m. St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery – Gentilly Break
10:00 a.m. Oakdale Cemetery – Crookston
Flag Raising at the entrance to follow the ceremony
Music – Crookston Band Ensemble directors Matthew Torgeson/George French
Invocation/Benediction – Fr. Augie Gothman (Cathedral)
“In Flanders Fields” – Elaine Metzger
“Reply to Flanders Fields” – Charles Reynolds
Address – Deacon Mark LeTexier (Retired Polk County Sheriff)
Decorating Graves – Veteran’s Council & Auxiliary
Chaplain – Bill Cassavant
Rifle Squad – under command of Steve Geatz
Taps – Scott Kleven
11.00 a.m. Sampson Bridge – Naval Ceremony Break
11:50 a.m. Sand Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery, Climax, MN
12:30 p.m. Crookston Military Walkway
1:15 p.m. Participants lunch at VFW
If you have any questions, please contact: Jamie Cassavant at 218-289-0865.
OAKDALE CEMETARY KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mark is the oldest son of Bev and Jim LeTexier and he doesn’t like to talk about himself but would rather listen and hear how your day is going. At the risk of boring all of you, he has agreed to give you “The Reader’s Digest Version” of his life.
- Mark is married to his Sweetheart (wife) Ruth for 40 years…
- He is blessed to have 2 adult daughters…
- He says he is doubly blessed to have 6 grandchildren. Number 6 grandchild was a micro preemie at 24 weeks… He weighed 1 lb. 12 oz. and was as long as a pencil.
- He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1983.
- Mark retired from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 2010. Sixteen years as a Deputy Sheriff and 8 years as Sheriff.
- In 2017 Mark was ordained a Deacon in the Diocese of Crookston. He enjoys ministering to homebound.
- His favorite dessert is chocolate spice cake which he calls “The Most”.
ADDITIONAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
Friday, May 24
2:00 p.m. – Villa/Summit program in Villa’s Stations 230 Dining Room with VFW
Sunday, May 26
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Poppy Day at One N’ Only Store. Coffee and rolls will be available. Support the poppy program and our veterans.
Monday, May 27
9:00 a.m. – Euclid Memorial Program at Prairie-View Cemetery, St. Paul’s Cemetery at 9:30 a.m., and St. Dorothy’s Cemetery at 10:30 am.
10:00 a.m. – Fisher Public School Auditorium with visits at approximately 10:35 a.m. for Greenwood Cemetery, 11:00 a.m. for Fisher Lutheran Cemetery and 11:25 a.m. for Bygland Lutheran Cemetery. Lunch will be at the American Legion Club from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. sponsored by American Legion Post 242 and Legion Auxiliary.
10:30 a.m. – Sand Hill Lutheran Church in Climax
Keynote Speaker Kurt Ellefson with music and readings by the Crookston Honor Guard
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