By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Next Monday is Memorial Day, and the Northfield community will be hosting its annual Memorial Day Service at 9am at Veterans Memorial Park. In the lead up to the service next week, KYMN News is going to talk some time to share about the work and stories of veterans in our community.
Today, we are focusing on one of Northfield’s leading Veterans groups, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW. A national organization, the VFW was formed in 1899 and grew nationally over the years. Its membership consists of veterans who served in war or combat on foreign soil. The national VFW organization has been an active advocate for veterans, creating the Veterans Administration, war memorials, and bills to provide services for veterans upon returning home.
Locally, the VFW in Northfield, Post #4393, consists of Northfield area veterans and the affiliated Auxiliary organization. Auxiliary President Nola Matheson said that they work to provide resources, donations, and services to the community:
“We donate to veterans’ causes. We’ll do the veterans homes in the cities or the veterans hospitals or for veterans has a need. They can come to us and we’ll donate to them. And one of our big things we’ve been donating to is the new, Believet, because it’s very expensive to train those dogs to help veterans and they need their support.” – Nola Matheson, Northfield VFW Auxiliary President, KYMN News File
Tracey Closson, the local VFW commander, noted that their work goes beyond just contributions to the Veteran community and that they also work to improve Northfield and the entire community:
“Whether you’re a veteran or a youth activity or a city organization that needs help between the auxiliary and the post working together as a team, we’re willing to help anybody out.” – Tracy Closson, Northfield VFW Commander on the KYMN Morning Show
Among the donations the VFW has given in recent years include the Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts), the Girl Scouts, several youth sports organizations, Northfield first responders, and regularly hosting blood drives.
Closson noted that the VFW’s bar located at 516 Division Street in Northfield is open to the public with several special events, dinners, and fundraisers each week.
Northfield Mayor Erica Zweifel, who recently met with the group, stated that she was impressed with their commitment to the community and appreciated all the support they give to Northfield:
“So I wanted to have them as guests today and lift up the work they’re doing in the community, the values that they hold as an organization. I was really impressed with them.” – Erica Zweifel, Northfield Mayor, on the KYMN Morning Show
Memorial Day 2025 Service Details:
When: May 26th at 9am
Where: Northfield Area Veterans Memorial Park
In Case of Bad Weather: the service will be held at Skoglund Athletic Center at St. Olaf.
See pictures and listen to last year’s service here
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