Local communities honor the fallen on Memorial Day

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) -Each year local community groups and American Legion Posts visit the area’s cemeteries and memorials, paying their respects to those who gave all for the nation.

“It just means that we’re remembering those that died for my freedom, our freedom,” said Mark Conrad with North Mankato’s American Legion Post 518.

Each stop along the way is filled with community members who either have loved ones that died in military service or just want to show support for those that did.

It’s an effort that’s felt at every memorial site, acknowledging every conflict from the Civil War to the latest combat overseas.

“We all come together to honor those. So pretty much across the city I think it’s an accepted and good thing to do,” said Conrad.

Another organization that gets involved every year is the local chapter of Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts.

The scouts march right alongside the flag and honor guard, and the partnership has become an annual tradition that is meant to get the younger generation involved with community events and give them an added appreciation for those who served.

“I definitely love to do these,” said Jeran Karau, a Mankato scout. “They’re a ton of fun as well as it’s just amazing to go around and help out with these ceremonies all around town with just being able to be out in the community and show everybody what we can do for scouting.”

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