HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 24 Armed forces day
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Debbie Townsend, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • dtownsend@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Armed Forces Day Ceremony to Honor Veterans, Service Members
Edina, Minn., April 24, 2018 – Come honor Edina residents who have served or are currently
serving in the military during a special Armed Forces Day ceremony at Utley Park.
The Saturday, May 19, event begins at 10 a.m. and includes speakers Mayor James Hovland, retired
Air Force Brig. Gen. Dennis Schulstad and Vietnam veterans Bob Benson and Marshall Schwartz.
“Along with remembering and recognizing those from our community who have served or are
currently serving in America’s Armed Forces, residents and guests who attend the celebratory event
can expect to leave with an energized appreciation for the patriotic spirit that is so deeply embedded
in Edina’s proud legacy and character,” Schwartz said. He served as a Platoon Leader and Company
Executive Officer in the 196th Light Infantry Bridge and as a Senior Intelligence Advisor with the
Vietnamese 2nd Infantry Division.
Benson, who flew missions in the Mekong Delta as a helicopter pilot with the 9th Infantry Division
and was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, hopes people take the time to come and
honor the veterans. He encourages attendees to bring children to the event, where they will hear
about service and sacrifice. Many kids and teens play video games such as “Call of Duty,” in which
they pretend to be soldiers. “This is a chance for them to meet real service members and honor the
people who fought, and in some cases gave their lives, for our freedom,” Benson said.
The ceremony at Utley Park, 4521 W. 50th St., will be held at the Edina Veterans Memorial, which is
enshrined with the names of 34 service members with deep ties to Edina who died while serving the
country during war.
Edina does not have a Memorial Day ceremony. The Edina Veterans Memorial Committee is teaming
up with the City of Edina and the Edina Historical Society to present this special event.
“We want to create something that will impact the community in a positive way and keep the spirit
of the veteran alive,” Benson said.
For more information, contact the Edina Historical Society at 612-928-4577.
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