Korean War veteran Ray Sanders reviews a Memorial Day flier prior to a ceremony in Faribault's Central Park.
I NEVER EXPECT TO CRY. But nearly every Memorial Day, I do.
Today tears edge the corners of my eyes as a Korean Conflict memorial wreath is placed upon a white cross during a program in Faribault’s Central Park.
Up until that moment, I am OK. But then, just like that, the emotions surface. I fight to hold back the tears. My lips quiver.
I am thinking of my dad, Elvern Kletscher, who served on the front lines during the Korean War. If he was still here, I would thank him. But now, of my soldier-father, I have only his military photos to peruse, his few shared war stories to remember, his letters to read and his grave to visit.
He has been gone seven years now although, truly, I lost my dad decades before that to the ravages of war.
Today, please take time to remember and honor veterans, those men and women who served our country to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.
The Rice County Veterans Association Honor Guard/Color Guard awaits the start of a Memorial Day program, where memorial wreaths will later be placed upon the white cross seen here in the center of this photo.
An aging veteran, among those we honor this Memorial Day.
A veteran proudly holds the American flag, representing the country he served, the freedom he preserved.
The color guard places American flags in front of the bandshell in Faribault's Central Park.
Just-placed pavers honoring veterans at the Rice County Veterans' Memorial in Faribault, currently under construction at the county courthouse.
A wreath rests on the plaza of the Rice County Veterans' Memorial which is expanding from the Civil War Monument which has long graced the courthouse grounds.
Flags fly at half-staff at the Rice County courthouse.
TO READ A STORY I WROTE about my father, which was published in the book God Answers Prayers Military Edition: True Stories from People Who Serve and Those Who Love Them, click on this link:
http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/texts/excerpts/9780736916660_exc.htm
Scroll to my story, Faith and Hope in a Land of Heartbreak. This shares the heart-wrenching experiences of my soldier-father and is my tribute to him. This was published in 2005 by Harvest House Publishers, two years after his death.
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
A beautiful way to spend Memorial Day.
Typically we attend the Memorial Day parade every year and sometimes the program that follows. We should make that “sometimes” an always.
As a child I always attended, and several times participated in, the Memorial Day program in my hometown of Vesta. Following that, we drove to the cemetery, visited family members’ graves and listened to the gun salute and tap-playing. Those early experiences have imprinted upon me the real meaning of Memorial Day–honoring our veterans.