By Carolyn Christensen
Memorial Day was cold and blustery, but that didn’t prevent the Bergman-Evenson Post 215 and it Legion Auxiliary from marching at the Nordland Lutheran Cemetery and the Rutland Cemetery to honor our veterans and auxiliary members laid at rest there. Everyone was shivering and teeth were chattering and it was miserable being out in such weather, but it was only for about 15 minutes in each cemetery. I couldn’t help but think of the conditions our veterans endured and still endure. Whether it’s freezing cold, horrendous heat, lack of food or sleeping fitfully in a foxhole, in a tree or the hard ground, the veterans have and continue to do whatever it is that needs to be done to help keep our country free. So, a total half hour of discomfort is the least we can do to honor them.
The Memorial Day program at the town hall was very moving. One of our World War II veterans, Milton McLaen, went on the WDAY Honor Flight and he and his daughter, Karen Hornseth, gave a power point presentation on his trip. I can only imagine what it was like for him to be among so many men and women who had gone through similar situations as he did and to be able to see the memorial that was finally erected for them.
The Legion presented several service pins. Earl (Bill) Anderson, Larry Christensen, Andy Hoflen, Calvin Jacobson, Ted Lee, and Roger Nelson received 35 year pins. Forty year pins went to John Hoflen, Roger Pearson and Norman Preble. Clayton McLaen received a 55 year pin and Donald Donaldson and Milton McLaen received 60 year pins. Three members of the Legion Auxiliary received pins as well. Bonnie Anderson received a 25 year pin while Helen Sapa and Gwen Young received 60 year pins.
As usual the Community Club served a delicious dinner following the program. Many former residents come back to Rutland for Memorial Day and this is a wonderful time of visiting and reminiscing.
I went to the Friendly Garden Club’s annual plant auction at the Nordland Lutheran Church parish hall on May 19 and had a blast. Some people may think that a plant auction would be kind of boring, but the Friendly Garden Club members are not boring. First of all, they had a fabulous meal which, in itself, was worth the effort of getting ready to go someplace. And the plants… Every kind, every color, some fragrant, some not, some in creative and beautiful containers, some in cardboard boxes. But, they all were sold amid some heavy duty bidding wars. Ann Erickson and Susan Fust were very entertaining auctioneers and had the bidders laughing and having a great time. We have the Friendly Garden Club members to thank for the beautiful flowers that adorn the various areas of the City of Rutland. They use the money raised from their plant auction to purchase the flowers they place around town. They also make sure the flowers are weeded and watered, so they have work cut out for them all summer.
