Area Memorial Day programs to be held

Staples

Staples American Legion will host a Memorial Day program May 30, at Evergreen Hill Cemetery.

Andy Schmidt will be the speaker. The invocation will be given by Pastor Steve Sveom, the national anthem will be sung by Hailey Koenig and Haley Christoffersen and the bugler will be Carly Smith.

Motley

The Motley American Legion, Tri-County Post #124, will host Memorial Day programs May 30, at the following locations:

o Bridgeman Cemetery, 9 a.m.

o Motley Staples Middle School, 10 a.m.

o Motley Evergreen Cemetery, 11 a.m.

o Poplar Cemetery, 1 p.m.

This year’s guest speaker at the school program is Command Sergeant Major Mike Worden. He is currently serving as the Garrison Command Sergeant Major at Camp Ripley Training Center in Little Falls and is assigned to the Minnesota Army National Guard.

CSM Worden enlisted in the army reserves in July of 1990, serving in the Military Intelligence branch.  He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1996, serving as a part-time soldier in Alexandria. He began a full-time career in the National Guard in 1997, in Stillwater.

A combat veteran with more than 24 years of service, CSM Worden deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and served more than 14 months as an Operations Sergeant providing operational coordination and planning support during execution of combat operations for his unit. He has received several military awards, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He lives in Brainerd with his wife Lisa; and teenage  children Jack and Eden.

Scheduled to speak at the three cemetery programs is Charles R. Poulton, a 38 year army veteran and Chief Warrant Officer. He is a member of the Motley American Legion. 

Pastor Jim Johnson, Motley Free Methodist Church, will offer the invocation at all four programs.

Following the ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery, the Motley Area Historical Society will host a ‘Pie and Ice Cream Social’ and open house at Motley United Methodist Church from noon - 2 p.m. The public is welcome to view many Motley historical photos, artifacts and resource tools. “Come, visit and talk to some of the local residents about Motley and surrounding area history,” says Linda Townsend, MAHS member. 

Following the ceremony at Poplar Cemetery, the Poplar Ladies Birthday Club will host a luncheon at Leader Community Hall.  The event is in celebration of the club’s 90th anniversary. Several historical artifacts will be on display.

Pillager

The Pillager American Legion will host a Memorial Day program at the Pillager School Gym at 10 a.m. This will be followed by ceremonies at Wildwood Cemetery, Pillager; and Gull River Cemetery.