TWO THINGS IN THIS YEAR’S Faribault Memorial Day observances stood out for me from previous events. First, three military women—Kerrie Johnsrud, Peggy Johnson and Stephanie Johnsrud—were honored. Second, a soldier killed in action during the Vietnam War was remembered.
Both touched me in a memorable way. Too often, women have been overlooked. Not this year. Not in Faribault. Honored Combat Veteran Stephanie Johnsrud drove that point home by reminding the crowd gathered at Central Park that anyone can be a veteran, even a woman, and to break the stigma of women in the military. She served with the Army National Guard, including deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. Upon her return, the veteran wanted to have a welcome home party at a local military club, something met with a less-than-warm reception. It was heartbreaking to hear her words.
Equally heartbreaking was the story of Army PFC Thomas Eastman, 21, of rural Faribault who was killed in Vietnam on May 5, 1966. He’d been deployed as an infantryman only months earlier. His name is listed on panel 7E, Line 30, of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, one of 1,086 Minnesotans listed on that monument.
Keynote speaker and emcee Gordy Kosfeld shared a bit about this young man, a 1963 Kenyon High School graduate. It was that information which personalized Eastman, took him from statistic to a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend. He wore thick glasses, loved fast cars, dogs and reading. And he planned to return to the farm upon his discharge.
Eastman, Kosfeld said, sounded like “an ordinary guy” who died in a far away land in service to country. He was and he did. I think sometimes, in the mass of numbers, we forget that our military men and women are, like Eastman, individuals with families and stories, likes and dislikes, and loved ones back home who miss them. And, if they are killed in action, with loved ones who deeply grieve their tragic deaths. That includes 58,000-plus during the Vietnam War.
During the past year, many grieved the loss of 109 Rice County veterans. Our veterans are aging. Dying. Men like Carl W. Ames, Phillip J. Dorn and my friend, 100-year-old Elmer R. Schulz. And, among all those male veterans, four deceased female veterans, Donna L. Schultz, Beverly J. Miller, Donna M. Cleland and Debra G. Norman. All 109 names were listed on the Memorial Day service program, a visual reminder that imprints upon the spirit the importance of honoring veterans not only in death, but in life.
And that we did on Monday morning in Faribault’s Central Park. Young and old. We listened. We honored. We remembered.
This concludes my three-part series on Memorial Day observances in Faribault and in Cannon City. Click here to read about Faribault’s parade and here to read about the program at the Cannon City Cemetery.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Audrey, this brought me to tears. I’m happy to hear that these brave souls were honored by the community in a fitting and proper way on this day. Their stories were told, no less deserving than any other, stories of sacrifice in honor of their country and all we stand for, and it was so nice to see everyone come out for them, young and old at last in such a loving and honorable way. here’s to each of them, lost to the community and their loved ones before their time.
Beth, thank you for honoring our military men and women, especially those who gave their lives in service to our country, with your loving words.
Stories like this help us remember our country’s military members who gave their lives for our freedom, and the loved ones they left behind. One reason we keep repeating history is we forget what happened in the past. We forget all the pain and suffering and death of war. We forget because the stories don’t get shared.
In my own family I have people who have served in the military (my grandfather and stepdad served in WWII, and other members have served as Army Rangers, National Guard, in the Marines, and farther back in history I had relatives who fought the Tories, and relatives who fought against slavery, etc…). I know so little about their service because they didn’t speak of it, their stories weren’t shared. How can we remember what no one shares with us?
Another point you made so well here, is we forget about all the women that have already served. Politics make it sound like women serving is a ‘new’ thing, and that it shouldn’t be happening. But women have served in wars for many years – often without recognition. This is not right. I’m glad this event recognized the women’s sacrifice and honor.
Thank you for sharing all these Memorial events with us.
I, too, feel thankful for the recognition of women. It seemed especially fitting that military women were honored this year, in a time when our current administration is downplaying (if not downright disrespecting them) their service to country.
Stories are often difficult to share because of the trauma and perhaps the lack of understanding by those who hear them. But I see a shift in that, a wider openness in talking about war-time experiences. That helps heal. And that also helps us to see that war is awful in so many ways. War is personal, not just a bunch of statistics and weapons, etc. You are right. We need to hear the stories. And remember them.
I think there are many who have not forgotten and I am grateful for the services and programs that honor all of those brave men and women. This looks like a wonderful event.
You’re right. Many have not forgotten. My community and surrounding communities do a good job of remembering and honoring.