The Superior Express -

The weekend in this area was filled with celebrations and memorials. Visitors and residents in this area could certainly be kept busy and no one could say they were bored.

The annual Vestey Day event was held in Superior and was filled with activities, programs, tours, music, food and a parade. As usual, this celebration did not let the attendees down. The weather was ideal and people of all ages filled the town.

In the neighboring town of Mankato, a year ago plans were made on how best to carry out the town’s 150th anniversary during the busy Memorial Weekend. The event did not disappoint anyone attending. Dances, activities, tours, plenty of food, programs and a parade were all enjoyed by all ages. Class reunions and an alumni gathering were held in combination with the town’s celebration.

In Esbon, the once every five-year school alumni celebration was held over the weekend. Many class reunions were enjoyed. Of course food and meals were available, along with a lot of fun and visiting.

In Jewell, the school’s alumni banquet was held and well attended, along with many class reunions.

Driving through the towns, American flags were flying up and down the main streets. Patriotic music was heard playing from a local store, as the stirring melodies flowed out into the streets. Red, white and blue banners hung from the rails of many porches, porch columns, and from flag poles in yards. These flags show respect for the freedom of this country.

The memorials were held honoring those brave heroes who gave their lives to keep this country’s freedom, after all that is what the Memorial Day Weekend is really all about. Sunday, church services in the area had moments shared honoring those soldiers who had gave the greatest sacrifice. A combined church service was held in the Mankato park during the town’s celebration and at Jewell.

Then came Memorial Day. A day originally called Decoration Day. Area cemeteries looked their best with recently mowed grass, freshly blooming flowers and decorated gravesites with special meaning plaques, statuettes, wreathes, fresh flowers and plants and silk flowers. All decorations were added in honor of a loved one, a friend or relative. Small American flags whipped about in the air at many of the gravesites, honoring veterans who had been laid to rest. Large “Old Glory” flags were flown from tall poles, stationed in the front of the cemetery, or along the driveways of the cemeteries. People stopped at the gravesites either visiting with others who came from near and far to pay their respects and share memories. Others stood at the gravesites with heads bowed giving their respects.

The larger cemeteries, such as Burr Oak, Esbon, Mankato, Webber and Superior, held Memorial Day programs. Local veteran organizations had honor guards and flag bearers that presented their arms paying respect for their fallen comrades. The flag salute was spoken, the National Anthem was sung and wreathes were placed in ceremony. Appointed speakers gave their respects and prayers were lifted up. Taps were played and guns were fired. Fathers and grandfathers held the littlest ones, children held onto their mother’s or grandmother’s hand, and the older children stood in place, all learning the value of honoring their country and seeing how to show respect which is so important, especially in today’s times.