Eden Prairie’s annual Memorial Day ceremony honored military service members on Monday at Veterans Memorial in Purgatory Creek Park, featuring moving speeches and patriotic music.
Keynote speaker Lt. James Rasmussen, a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, captivated the audience with his experiences as a navigator in the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. Rasmussen, who flew 32 missions with the “Bloody 100th” in the 8th Air Force, shared the intense challenges faced by his unit, recently highlighted in the Apple TV+ series “Masters of the Air,” produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman.
Later this month, Rasmussen, who turned 100 in January, will join 70 other World War II veterans on an Honor Flight to France, sponsored by American Airlines. This trip commemorates the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The veterans will spend two days in Paris before traveling to Normandy for commemorative events, culminating in a ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery on June 6.
Monday’s ceremony included performances by the Eden Prairie Community Band and local singer Julie Tuck. Despite a rainy forecast, many people came out to honor the fallen. Photographer Gretchen Haynes noted the event’s significance, capturing a particularly poignant moment involving an elderly gentleman who stood proudly during the Marines’ Hymn, despite a visible struggle to maintain his posture.
Krista Jordan introduced her husband, Lt. Col. Bradley Jordan of the 133rd Airlift Wing, United States Air National Guard, and gave a heartfelt speech about her pride in his service and her fears when he is deployed to war zones.
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