Praire Farm Memorial Day Service

 Photo submitted by Ron Crosby

By: Ron Crosby 

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.  Victory in Europe (VE-Day) on May 8, 1945, and Victory in Japan (VJ-Day) on August 15, 1945. The war in Vietnam officially ended 50 years ago, on April 30, 1975.

The Holum-Waite American Legion Post 259 and Auxiliary of Prairie Farm will commemorate the sacrifices of all veterans on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Pioneer Park in Prairie Farm, followed by a chicken dinner.

This year’s service will feature a performance by the Prairie Farm Middle School Band. Additionally, memorial wreaths and flags will be presented to honor each Gold Star veteran. A Vietnam-era UH-1 "Huey" helicopter will participate in the wreath ceremony and conduct a "Welcome Home" flight to honor local Vietnam veterans, weather permitting. Seven of the eleven soldiers flying into the park on the Huey helicopter were graduates of Prairie Farm High School. 

In recent years, the Post has recognized Gold Star veterans from the Prairie Farm, Ridgeland, Dallas, and Wheeler areas with flag presentations, assisted by family members when possible. The Post is seeking help in locating the families of the following Gold Star veterans:

• Otto Blyton, WWII MIA – BNR, March 1, 1942, Lost at Sea

• George W. Ehlert, WWI DoD, Oct. 4, 1918, Solum

• Corporal George A. Eidahl, WWI DoW, Oct. 12, 1918, Akers

• Robert E. Hakanson, WWII MIA – BNR, Nov. 8, 1944, Lost at Sea

• Almer G. Holum, WWI KIA, Nov. 1, 1918, Meuse-Argonne

• Clark H. Johnson, WWI DoD, Oct. 2, 1918, Evergreen

• Henry “Seivert” Johnson, WWI DoD, Oct. 18, 1918, Camp Hancock, Ga.

• Sergeant Eddie Elmer Often, WWI KIA, Oct. 9, 1918, Sheridan Zion

• Philip D. Parks, WWII DoW, Feb. 7, 1944, Dallas, Wis.

• Peter Paulson, WWI DoW, Oct. 19, 1918, Hay River Luth

• Carl O. Pederson, WWI DoD, Oct. 10, 1918, Akers

• Gerald A. Speetzen, WWII DiT, Sept. 8, 1944, St. Joseph’s Rice Lake

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Abbreviations: MIA-BNR (Missing in Action/Body Not Recovered), DoD (Died of Disease), DoW (Died of Wounds), KIA (Killed in Action), DiT (Died in Training)

If you are related to or know someone related to these veterans, please contact Ron at 715-296-6843 or email pfamericanlegion@gmail.com.

Please join us this Memorial Day to honor these veterans and their families for their sacrifices.