Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm VFW Post 1648 members hang wreaths on graves at the New Ulm City Cemetery Thursday in preparation for the Monday, May 26 Memorial Day Observance. Pictured from left, John Ingebritson, Roger Hoffmann, Tom Roesch, Denis Warta, Jon Gohr, Dave Hoffmann and Al Gag.

NEW ULM — New Ulm and many area communities will host Memorial Day programs Monday, May 26.

American Legion Boys State delegates of 2024 and 2025 New Ulm High School graduates Ben Groebner and Brayden Haynes will give addresses at the New Ulm City Cemetery Memorial Day Observance.

The memorial program begins at 10 a.m. in the Lower Soldiers Rest, down the hill at the end of the sidewalk leading to the flag poles.

Groebner, a University of Minnesota student, major undecided, and the son of Amanda and Nate Groebner, will read the Gettysburg Address. In high school he participated in Knowledge Bowl, tennis, theater and is a National Honor Society member.

Haynes will give the Memorial Address.

A University of Wisconsin River Falls student, Haynes plans to major in Political Science and Sociology and minor in Economics. He is the son of Anna and Brad Haynes.

In high school, he participated in Knowledge Bowl, the Econ Challenge, choir, Controversial Topics Club, a club he and a friend created.

At Boys State, he passed the first amendment to its constitution for the first time in more than six decades, with an approval rate of more than 90%.

New Ulm VFW Post 1648 Command Tom Roesch is the Master of Ceremonies. A past commander of New Ulm American Legion Post 132, he enlisted in the Army Sept. 28, 1969. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), 11th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division that operated in the north part of South Vietnam.

Roesch and his wife Jackie have two children, six grandchildren and live in Courtland.

The New Ulm Municipal Band, Concord Singers, New Ulm Comrades of Valor Honor Guard and Veterans Color Guard will perform.

After the program, all participants are invited to the American Legion Club Room, 13 S. Minnesota St., for lunch.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Community Center, 600 N. German St.

Area communities holding Memorial Day events include:

Sleepy Eye

A 9 a.m. flag raising takes place at Veteran’s Park on Main Street, followed by flag raising at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 9:15 a.m. A program starts at 9:30 a.m. at Home Cemetery. First District Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm will speak. In case of inclement weather, the program will move to the St. Mary’s High School Auditorium.

Nicollet

Schell’s Hobo Band will perform at Nicollet American Legion Post 510 at 10:50 a.m. Monday and is part of a memorial service that begins at 11 a.m.

U.S. Army 34th Infantry Division Commanding General Brigadier General Joseph Sharkey will give the address.

American Legion Post Everlasting Certificates will be awarded to Louis Compart, Ronald Claudius Giefer, Thorild “Tory” K. Nelson and James Schmitz.

Everyone is invited to a potluck following the program at the American Legion Fellowship Hall. Hebron Cemetery services begin at 2 p.m. Monday.

Gibbon

A Memorial Day Service begins at 9 a.m. Monday at the GFW Elementary School gym in Gibbon. Pastor Karl Grant of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will give the address. All children will be given American flags and are invited to participate in the children’s march at the end of the service.

Refreshments will be served after the service. If you have any military memorabilia to display, call Elizabeth at 507-834-6381.

Winthrop

The Winthrop Honor Guard will salute deceased veterans at Clear Lake Methodist and St. John’s (Bismarck) cemeteries at 7:40 a.m. Monday; Tabor, 7:45 a.m., Clear Lake Lutheran, 7:50 a.m., St. Peter’s (Moltke) 8 a.m.; Clear Lake Baptist 8:05 a.m.; Augustana Lutheran and Gibbon Catholic, 8:15 a.m. and Gibbon City 8:25 a.m. Both groups arrive at Immanuel Lutheran at 8:30 a.m., then to the gym program.

Lafayette

American Legion Post 300 will host a 10 a.m. program at Memorial Park. A potluck follows at the community center.

Fairfax

Memorial Park hosts a program at 4 p.m. Hotdogs and cookies will be available.

Franklin

Community Center hosts a program at 9:30 a.m.

Redwood Falls

Redwood Falls Veterans Cemetery hosts a program at 2 p.m. Live music begins at 1:30 p.m. Due to limited parking, carpooling is encouraged.

Springfield

Springfield John Watson Post 257 American Legion conducts a 5 p.m. service in the Springfield Public School Auditorium.