Red Bull commander to speak at city's Memorial Day ceremony

By Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

Memorial Day will be observed Monday, May 31, in the New Prague area with the traditional services at cemeteries, a parade and a program at Memorial Park.

Maj. Gen. Richard Nash of New Prague, commander of the 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard (The Red Bulls), will be the main speaker during the program at the park. The event will take place at the Veterans memorial along Second Street SE in the park.

Cemetery visits

The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard will gather at 8:15 a.m. at the Park Ballroom clubroom. The group will leave at 8:45 a.m. for ceremonies at local cemeteries. The schedule:

• 9 a.m. St. Patrick's

• 9:35 a.m. St. Benedict

• 9:55 a.m. Lanesburgh

• 10:15 a.m. Union Hill

• 10:30 a.m. Czech National

• 10:45 a.m. St. Wenceslaus

At each cemetery, a brief service will be held, including the reading of a list of veterans in the cemetery.

Parade

New Prague's memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. New Prague American Legion Commander George Tupy will provide a float for veterans and others wishing to take part in the parade, but unable to travel the route. Those wanting to ride the float should meet in front of the Park Ballroom clubroom at 10:30 a.m. It will then join those participating in the parade in front of New Prague City Hall about 11 a.m.

Anyone who would like to support the troops and honor veterans is welcome to walk with the Blue Star Families of New Prague. They will meet at city hall at 10:30 a.m.

Other participants in the parade include the Honor Guard, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and the New Prague High School Band.

The parade will go south on Central Avenue, turn east onto Main Street and then turn south onto Lincoln Avenue ending at the New Prague Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park.

Program

Around 11:30 a.m. the annual program in the park will be held with Tom Tupy as master of ceremonies. Father Kevin Clinton of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church will give the invocation. New Prague Mayor W.A. Bink Bender will give the welcome. Maj. Gen. Nash, who served in Iraq and commanded the Multi-National Division South in Basrah, will give the main speech. Tupy and Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Mike LaDuke will read a list of veterans interned in local cemeteries and overseas. A rifle salute and the playing of Taps will follow.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Park Ballroom. Refreshments will be served to parade participants at the Legion clubroom.

The Blue Star Families will be serving hot dogs from Skluzacek's Quality Meats, chips and drinks to all the veterans and their families, immediately after the parade on Memorial Day at the shelter west of the Park Ballroom. For any questions or to help call Cindy Johnson at 952-758-2821.