By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Several hundred members of the Northfield community gathered on Monday morning at Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to the country’s fallen heroes at the annual Memorial Day Service. After several years of being forced inside due to rain and bad weather, the particularly nice spring day drew what some event organizers believed was one of the largest crowds in recent years to the service.
In the keynote address, retired Army Lt. Col Jack Hoschouer reminded everyone of the purpose of Memorial Day:
“Others acknowledge servicemen and veterans: thank you for your service. It is a common, but often superficial, recognition of the otherness of military life. Please do not thank me today, on Memorial Day, for my service. But remember, those whom we honor.” – Lt. Col. Jack Hoschouer (retired) from the Key Note Address at the 2025 Northfield Memorial Day service.
Hoschouer shared a story and names of some of the soldiers from a unit he commanded in the Vietnam War, stating the deaths were still real to him, to this day:
“Not everyone was eager to find himself in uniform. Nevertheless, when called, they bravely did their part. My infantry company in Vietnam was almost entirely composed of draftees. When they did their duty with great courage. And a few of them are among those whom we honor today.” – Lt. Col. Jack Hoschouer (retired) from the Key Note Address at the 2025 Northfield Memorial Day service.
As part of the service, members of the VFW and American Legion Auxilary laid wreaths for the Navy Dead, Prisoners of War, and those Missing in Action, as well as a wreath for each conflict and war in U.S. history, the service ended with the last roll call to commemorate the Northfield area Veterans who passed away in the previous year. Here’s the Master of Ceremonies, Chaplain Major Keith Beckwith:
“The First Sergeant, usually the leader of the until, will call out the muster for accountability, and everyone will answer. The reason the last roll call is so powerful is because the name and the rank are read out loud, and that person is not with them and did not answer… It’s a moving reminder that there are times when there are those not with us in formation.” – Chaplain Major Keith Beckwith,
The service concluded with a picnic hosted by the Northfield Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
Photo Gallery:
All pictures by Logan Wells
The Speakers:
(Left to right sitting): Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha, Northfield Mayor Erica Zweifel, VFW #4393 Commander Tracy Closson, American Legion #84 Chris Rietveld, Rev. Dr. Brent Klein, and Master of Ceremonies Chaplain Major Keith Beckwith
Laying of the Wreaths & Carnations:
American Legion and VFW Auxiliary Members lay a wreath for each conflict and war in U.S. history, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts lay carnations on the monuments of the Northfield area veterans who passed away in the last year.
The Color Guard & 21-Gun Salute
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Picnic
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