Denis Warta, a Korean War veteran from New Ulm, said the event was previously held July 3 at Riverside Park but moved to a Wednesday this year in an effort to allow more people to enjoy music, program, burgers and potato salad prepared by American Legion Post 132.

The Original German Band, accompanied by singer Heidi Berle, gave the opening performance, doing many German pieces for about an hour.

“I remember playing Whoopie John (Wilfahrt) band music on a juke box when I was in the Navy. Many people told me they knew and music and loved it,” Warta said. “It was played in many distant places on Armed Forces Radio.”

After the John Illikman of the New Ulm Area Foundation presented American Legion Post 132 with a $700 grant to sponsor the concert, Abe Lincoln impersonator Bryce Stenzel of Mankato recited the Gettsyburg Address. Then the New Ulm Municipal Band performed.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The New Ulm Municipal Band performs Wednesday at a Salute to Veterans Concert at German Park.

Illikman of the New Ulm Area Foundation thanked all veterans for their service “so we can enjoy all the freedoms we have.”

The foundation focuses its grants in arts, education, economic development and historic preservation.

Brown County veterans service officer Greg Peterson said the PACT Act of 2022, passed by the U.S. House earlier this year, is expected to be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Biden. The legislation promotes access to health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service.

The bill also provides eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs medical care, including mental health services and counseling.

“It includes Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and Thailand,” Peterson said.

On Thursday, Oct. 13, New Ulm honors six men killed in Vietnam: Dennis Wellmann, Daniel Lloyd, Henry Polzin, Steven Seemann, Timothy Sullivan and Rickey Slander. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Panel will be unveiled at 3 p.m. in the German Park Amphitheater. Patriotic music, food and fellowship follows.

At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, the Fabulous Armadillos present “What’s Going On? Songs from the Vietnam War Era,” a live concert experience at the State Street Theater. General admission tickets are $25, $15 for veterans.

For more information, visit www.statestreetnewulm.org.

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