Following a downtown parade, the observance moved to the New Ulm City Cemetery where the Gold Star Parents, followed by the Color Guard, were escorted New Ulm Municipal Band snare drums. The Municipal Band and the Concord Singers performed musical selections including U.S. Military service songs.

“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” said New Ulm High School graduate Jacob Todd, reading the Gettysburg Address, delivered by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, and one of the best-known speeches in American history.

Cathedral High School graduate Nathan Hauser followed with the Memorial Address.

“No words of condolences can adequately comfort a (War) survivor’s son,” Hauser said. “These heroes have fallen to their deaths in numerous places. The purity of their sacrifice is without question. Many left the safe and quiet of their homes and traveled to a foreign land to do what was asked of them. Many expected to return home but never did. “

Jacob Todd

Hauser said since the American Revolution, more than one million United States heroes had their lives ended prematurely while in battle.

“When their country called, they answered. Some volunteered, some were drafted and some were caught up in the action and had to defend themselves,” Hauser said. “Each took it upon him or herself to serve faithfully and to their fullest. They lived by the same message given by U.S. Army Officer Nathan Hale in the Revolutionary War. He said ‘my only regret is I have but one life to lose for my country.'”

Hauser said there are still more than 82,000 military members Missing In Action since World War II. In addition, he said the United States spends $105 million a year to try to bring them back home for a proper burial.

He cited former U.S. President Ronald Reagan who said “Freedom was not handed to us. It has to be fought for. Freedom is not bought cheaply and comes with a cost. It has a cost that has a burden. It’s the countless number of loved ones, friends and family with a hole in their hearts.”

Hauser cited former U.S. President John F. Kennedy who said “a nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, the men it honors and the men it remembers.”

Nathan Hauser

“God bless you all, God bless America, and God bless our fallen heroes,” Hauser concluded.