A combined Honor Guard of military veterans made its way around Polk County, Minn., Monday morning to honor those who have given their lives in service to the United States.
American Legion Post 157 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, both of East Grand Forks, stopped at cemeteries in East Grand Forks, Tabor and Nesbit, Minn., to offer prayers for their fallen comrades. Mark LeTexier, Legion chaplain, led family members at each cemetery in prayer, and read the names of veterans who had died.
Daniel Sauerwein, commander of the 9th District of Sons of the Legion, read the decree for the first Memorial Day at the final stop, Resurrection Cemetery in East Grand Forks.
General Order No. 11, drafted by Gen. John A. Logan in 1868, calls for all to "gather around (fallen soldiers') sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime (and) raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor."
Copyright 2013, Grand Forks Herald.
