The Rock County Veterans Memorial in front of the courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota. That’s a restored Civil War cannon.
FROM THE VETERANS MEMORIAL fronting the Rock County Courthouse to the next door Rock County Veterans Memorial Building—which houses the Herreid Military Museum and more—to the Minnesota Veterans Home and the town’s star role in the Ken Burns’ World War II documentary, The War, Luverne honors and respects veterans unlike any other rural Minnesota community.
That’s my impression, anyway, after a visit this summer to Luverne, tucked into the extreme southwestern corner of my state.
A flag hangs in a hallway outside the military museum.
You cannot help but feel awed by the patriotism that exists here.
A statue titled “Poppies” personalizes this memorial as do the names of some 1,600 veterans engraved in pavers.
And because sometimes a picture is truly worth a thousand words, allow me to show you a snippet of the ways in which Luverne honors veterans:
The 1900 former Rock County Jail and sheriff’s home today is the Rock County Veterans Memorial Building. It houses the Herreid Military Museum, the Brandenburg Gallery and the Luverne Chamber of Commerce.
An overview of the Herreid Military Museum which pays tribute to Rock County residents who served their country in the military. A third-floor exhibit will open in 2014 featuring the story of war from Korea and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A model plane in the museum.
Another view of the military museum.
The memorable face of a veteran at the outdoor memorial.
Equally memorable words.
Today, Veterans Day, please remember our veterans and the sacrifices they made for our freedom.
FYI: Click here to learn more about the Rock County Veterans Memorial.
For more info on the Herried Military Museum, click here.
By clicking here, you will learn more about the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
Click here to learn more about Ken Burns’ WWII documentary, The War.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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