A special dedication ceremony on Sunday, June 15th took place under an overcast sky during Volksfest. The well-attended event officially unveiled the newly erected veterans’ memorial located near the historical museum.
The memorial honors all military and emergency response persons. The structure is an elongated granite semi-circle engraved with “ALL GIVE SOME-SOME GIVE ALL” set between three flag poles and a two-tier hexagon below a silver-tone eagle sculpture.
Two police officers, two firefighters and two veterans opened the ceremony by raising the United States flag centered between the POW and Minnesota state flags. The crowd joined in the pledge of allegiance before the flags were lowered to half-staff out of respect for recently slain Representative Hortman and her husband. The Bellechester American Legion Color Guard and Goodhue High School band and choir also participated in the observance.
Legion spokesperson, John Huneke welcomed guests and Chaplain, Reverend Kelly Ackerman delivered the invocation. Some local veterans were honored guests including Neil Stemman who still fits in his uniform. Other uniforms donated to the museum were modeled by young volunteers. The veterans and stand-ins represented all military branches and EMS services, a symbolic tribute to the many who gave their lives in the line of duty including approximately 250 Minnesota firefighters and 275 police officers killed since 1881.
The initial idea for a local memorial came from life-long Goodhue resident and Army Veteran, Harold Lensch. Harold shared this idea with John Rambolt who worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Funding for the project came largely from MaryAnn Banidt Sitta, guest speaker at the dedication.
“I grew up here and I love this town. I’m so happy to have been able to fund this beautiful memorial but I didn’t do it alone.” MaryAnn shared that the donation was an inheritance from her brother, Dick, and parents, Lester and Jeanne Banidt. “I know that they are all with us today and happy for this amazing addition to the community.” She went on to say, “I may have written the checks, but John Ramboldt is responsible for making this dream come true”. She also credited her stepson, Matthew Perry, the architect that designed the memorial and worked with numerous companies to make it a reality.
“Another very, very generous donor is the Goodhue Area Historical Museum for the land the memorial sits upon. Many locations were considered but this one is the best,” Sitta said, praising the site’s visibility from Highway 58. She also thanked all who helped with the project including Ron Frederickson, Jason Fitzgerald, Jim Perry, Karen O’Reilly, Rocky Ramboldt, Jill Ramboldt and Lodermeier Implement. She acknowledged John Huneke for helping in many ways including planning and organizing the dedication program.
Huneke then took to the podium saying, in part, “Goodhue will never forget its heroes. To our veterans, you have carried the burdens of freedom. Your service has shaped the soul of this community and this nation. Today we also honor another group of selfless individuals, the Goodhue Fire Department, first responders and police officers. In times of emergency, when every second matters and every decision counts, they step forward. They deserve our unwavering gratitude. On the worst days of our lives, when we make the call, we know they will come and do everything humanly possible to help. They deserve continued community support.
“This memorial stands as a tribute to all who answered the call. Let this memorial be a place of reflection, of education, and remembrance. Never, ever forget the cost of freedom.”
