Posted on 05/25/2009 7:28:51 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
There are more than 150,000 people buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. And while the headstones appear identical from a distance each one tells a story about a person who served the nation in uniform at some point in life.
David and Margaret Sorensen of Edina, and their children David Roy and McKenzie, could be seen from a distance Monday standing above one such grave marker.
"Arthur Marius Sorensen," Margaret Sorensen explained, "It's my children's great grandfather. They never met him, but we like to bring them out here and try to tell stories."
Sorensen was a new Danish immigrant when he signed up for duty in World War I.
"He came over from Denmark and was here for a few years before the war started," his grandson David told KARE, "He decided he needed to take care of this great country he moved to so he did his part then came back and started his family."
Arthur's son Roy Sorensen, David's father, followed in those same footsteps becoming a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea. David stayed with the family tradition, serving in the first Gulf War as a naval aviator.
The Sorensens believe the Memorial Day trips to Fort Snelling provide valuable perspective for their teenage children.
"We're trying to remember what Memorial Day's all about," Sorensen explained, "And remember our grandparents, those who fought in the war and served our country."
At the same cemetery Monday thousands of veterans and family members gathered to honor the contributions of the men and women who've put on those uniforms in war and peace time.
A parade of color guards set the stage for patriotic songs and speeches.
"Every brave soul buried here answered the call to serve, and stepped forward to protect the nation they loved," Governor Tim Pawlenty told the crowd.
Senator Amy Klobuchar drew the line from the Minnesotans who died at Gettysburg to those still serving in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"On this day too we have a duty to honor all of our women and men in uniform who have served their country with dedication and courage," Klobuchar remarked, "They have been there for us, willing to serve and sacrifice."
Col. Kenneth L. Beale Jr, the Army Reserve Command Chaplain, paid tribute to the volunteers who've put in countless hours at the cemetery. He pointed out the Memorial Rifle Squad, which fired the volleys for the traditional 21-gun salute, had performed those honors 53,000 times since 1979.
"The squads have done their duty in summer temperatures of a 100 degrees and throughout the harsh Minnesota winter in subzero temperatures accompanied by snow and ice!"
The public ceremony drew the media attention and rightfully so, but across the immense military graveyard one could also see a multitude of private moments unfold.
People kneeled to place flowers and flags. Some paused for a prayer. Some wept. Some of them seemed to be engaged in a conversation with a loved one; a person who sacrificed all or part of a life to answer their nation's call.
Thanks for the great post.
And a heartfelt Thank You to all who served and those still in uniform.
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