People pay respects to fallen Marine

New Prague area residents came to pay their respects to Lance Corporal Dale Means, USMC, at a Tuesday, Nov. 27, wake. A line of area residents of various ages flowed out of Bruzek Funeral Home, 610 Main St. E. People were greeted by an honor guard of the Minnesota Patriot Guard standing at attention and holding United States flags during the evening service. Means, 23, who grew up in rural Jordan, was killed while serving in Afghanistan. A 2007 graduate of New Prague High School, he married classmate Andrea Scheffler in October of 2011 at St. Patrick’s Church north of New Prague.New Prague American Legion Commander George Tupy said it is believed the last New Prague area serviceman killed in combat was in World War II. He said there have been several active- duty military deaths over the years, but none of those were combat-related. Minnesota Patriot Guard ride captain Larry "Slick" Myslicki explained there were 70 to 80 members acting as honor guards at the wake and the Wednesday, Nov. 28, funeral. Members of the volunteer organization only attend if the family or the military invites them. Myslicki said most of their members are veterans, although anyone can join if they are willing to honor America’s fallen veterans.