Thoughtful services were held once again this Memorial Day in every corner of the county, with volunteers, veterans, and families gathered to honor those who gave their lives in service to the United States.
This continues to be a region known for its deep patriotism and sense of community, where residents turn out in force — raising flags, playing taps, reading names, and quietly reflecting on the true meaning of the long holiday weekend.
In Colman, State Senator Casey Crabtree gave the keynote address at St. Peter Catholic Cemetery north of town, due to ongoing road construction along Highway 34. Surrounded by flags and fresh flowers, Crabtree reminded the crowd why this day exists.
“Memorial Day is a sacred holiday dedicated to honoring the thousands of men and women who left their families, their homes and left their communities to fight the wars of this nation, but did not come back alive,” he said.
He also urged attendees to keep perspective.

“We all take many things for granted every day,” Crabtree said, who also gave the message at Egan Services.
“The right to speak our opinion, the right to worship as we please, or to not worship if that is our preference, we often take our everyday safety for granted (unlike much of our war-torn world), and many of us take for granted that we get to elect our government officials…to me, the most compelling reason we are able to take these — and so many other things — for granted in this country is due to the service and sacrifice of so many men and women who have served this great nation in time of need.”
In Flandreau, Navy veteran Michael Schmidt shared his experience serving aboard the USS Oriskany during the Vietnam War. Schmidt offered a vivid picture of flight deck operations, long deployments, and the risks that came daily with the job. He described the camaraderie of his shipmates — thousands of men working together in unforgiving conditions — and the pain of losing so many of them during a single cruise.
“We lost over half of our planes and a fourth of our pilots in seven months,” Schmidt said.
“Forty planes and twenty pilots either killed or missing in action.”
He also reflected on the harsh treatment Vietnam veterans received when they returned home.
“When we were separated from active duty, most Vietnam vets just put our heads down to try and stay under the radar, finish school, get a job, raise a family, and not make a big deal of being a military veteran,” he said.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank those that did put forth effort to welcome us home. I really want to recognize the gals that took a chance and gave us a second look and dated us. On that note I would especially like to recognize my lovely bride, Barb, as one of those gals.”
And then he thanked the crowd for allowing him the opportunity to share some of his experiences.
Services across the county, important to note, continue to be supported each year by American Legion and Auxiliary members, local students, other volunteers, local high school band members, and pastors.