Staff photo by Fritz Busch A group of New Ulm veterans organization leaders laid a circular, poppy-adorned wreath under the New Ulm City Cemetery Doughboy Monument Thursday. Pictured from left are Seifert-Bianchi Legion Post 132 Commander Roger Hoffmann, Post 132 Honor Guard member Jon Gohr, VFW Post 132 Commander Tom Roesch playing “Taps,” Comrades of Valor President Dave Hoffmann, former Post 132 Commander Al Gag and Legion and VFW lifetime member John Ingebritson.

NEW ULM — A decades old tradition of laying a large, poppy-adorned wreath under the New Ulm City Cemetery Doughboy Monument and playing “Taps” in memory of soldiers, sailors and Marines who served their country in time of war continued Thursday.

The ceremony had particular meaning to descendants of the late Denis “Denny” Warta of New Ulm, Lynn Warta Mathiowetz and Diann Warta of New Ulm.

Denis Warta, a veteran, author and history lover himself, who called himself “a collector of people,” died at 97 on Nov. 19, 2025.

Mathiowetz talked about the history of the Doughboy Monument.

“Denny had the idea of creating a wreath for the monument, so he had his brother Norman, my dad, build it about 30 years ago,” she said. “They got their comrades together and had this (Doughboy Monument) ceremony before the Memorial Day observance. Denny was here with us last year. We promised we would keep it going. He trained me to call everybody.”

Diann Warta said she’s “so very proud to be able to continue the tradition. We made a promise and we’re going to keep it,” she said.

The Doughboy Monument was made of cast zinc and erected in 1941 in memory of the soldiers, sailors and Marines who served their country in time of war. The monument is a replica cast after it was knocked over by vandals in 1995.

The New Ulm Cemetery Memorial Day program begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25.

The New Ulm Municipal Band will play the Armed Forces Salute. Military members are asked to rise when they hear their branch of service.

Logan Klawitter, son of Reese and Tamara Klawitter, will read the Gettysburg Address. A 2026 Cathedral High School graduate, he plans to major in biochemistry this fall.

Henry Albrecht, son of Luke and Emily Groebner-Albrecht, will give the memorial address. A 2026 New Ulm High School graduate, he plans to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison this fall to study biochemistry on a premed track.

The guest speaker is Vietnam Veteran Robert Sharp who worked 35 years at Mathiowetz Construction Company, as a field service mechanic, equipment superintendent and company vice president.

Sharp retired in 2010 and moved to Albert Lea where he serves as VFW Post 447 and Disabled American Veterans commander.

Other Memorial Day programs Monday include a flag raising at Sleepy Eye Veteran’s Park at 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery and 9:30 a.m. in Home Cemetery. Sleepy Eye native Andrew Schwartz will speak after the Home Cemetery flag raising.

A Gibbon program begins at 9 a.m. in the GFW Elementary School gym.

The Franklin Community Center hosts a 9:30 a.m. program with Joe Sherman speaking. A 21-gun salute follows at the Highway 19 flag display.

A program for Morgan and Clements begins at 10 a.m. on the Clements Main Street.

Fairfax Memorial Field hosts at program at 4 p.m. Hot dogs and cookies follow the event.

The Springfield High School Performing Arts Auditorium hosts a 5 p.m. program. A light supper follows in the Legion Hall.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs hosts a special ceremony Sunday, May 24 at 33752 Noble Ave., Redwood Falls. Live music begins at 1:30 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. program. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking.