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Honoring veterans

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Maj. Blake St. Sauver, Officer-In-Charge of the 1-125 Field Artillery Battalion, Minnesota National Guard, based in New Ulm speaks at the Veterans Day Program at New Ulm High School Monday.

NEW ULM — Minnesota National Guard Maj. Blake St. Sauver urged Veterans Day Program participants to thank a veteran for their sacrifices and service, at New Ulm High School Monday.

“Acknowledge our debt of gratitude to those that keep our nation whole,” said St. Sauver.

“Like former President Barack Obama said, everybody can do something as one American team. That’s how we truly honor vets,” St. Sauver said. “Say thank you to a veteran in your community. Please find them and thank them for their service. Take time to recognize these great Minnesotans.”

St. Sauver quoted former President Calvin Coolidge: “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”

“God bless our veterans,” St. Sauver concluded.

He earlier mentioned the number of Minnesota veterans including 13,000 Minnesota National Guard citizen-soldiers, 5,000 reservists and 500 active duty military members.

“Service to our country is something different to every veteran,” St. Sauver said.

Two of St. Sauver’s brothers and sisters have served in the Minnesota National Guard. He and his siblings have deployed (moved soldiers and equipment away from family and friends) six times.

His father served 37 years in the Army National Guard, of which 20 years of full-time duty.

“New Ulm is a very patriotic community. Look at all the military observances held here,” St. Sauver said.

He has more than 17 years of military service. St. Sauver joined the military in 2002, serving with the 1256th Air Ambulance Company as a combat medic.

He later served as an officer candidate at the 175th Regional Training Institute at Camp Ripley, was a 1-151 Field Artillery Battalion platoon leader in Anoka, 1-151 fire direction officer based in Madison, the Central Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Network coordinator at Camp Ripley, community relations specialist at Camp Ripley, and 682nd Engineer Battalion training officer, before becoming 1-125 OIC.

St. Sauver has a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from Bethel University and a BS in speech communication and rhetoric from South Dakota State University.

Ramona Widmer, Adjutant, Chapter 15 Disabled American Veterans, was program Master of Ceremonies.

The Concord Singers sang the National Anthem with the New Ulm High School Band. Sam Arsers performed “Taps.” The Concord Singers sang “When Johnnie Comes Marching Home,” “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and God Bless America.”

The New Ulm Area Veterans Color Guard advanced and retired the colors.

The New Ulm American Legion club served a noon lunch for all veterans and participants.

Superintendent, veteran Jeff Bertrang guest

at WLC

Washington Learning Center held a Veterans Day program with superintendent and military veteran Jeff Bertrang as the guest of honor.

Bertrang has 29 years of military experience. He retired from the military in 2012.

He told the pre-kindergarten and kindergartners at WLC about what hit means to be a veteran.

Bertrang said his grandfather served during WWII and it was his grandfather who inspired him to join the service.

Bertrang described his time in the service as working to “help one another.” He told the students that because they live here, they have a great deal of potential and opportunity, which veterans are proud to make possible.

After the program, Bertrang said it is a good day to be a military veteran, but it is also a good day for anyone to serve their community.

“We all chose how best to serve,” he said.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

Clay Schuldt can be emailed at cschuldt@nujournal.com.

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