STAPLES, MINNESOTA
Events
Welcome to Staples Veterans Park, where we proudly celebrate and honor our veterans with events throughout the year. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and join us in recognizing the sacrifices made by those who served. Your participation makes a difference!
Upcoming Events
Memorial Day Observance
Staples Veterans Park
Monday, May 25 | 10:00 a.m.
On Memorial Day, our community will gather at Staples Veterans Park to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we cherish, and their memory will forever live in our hearts. This day of remembrance ensures their service is never forgotten.
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Program Highlights:
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Presentation of the National Anthem
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Invocation delivered by Pastor Jim Jonson
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Guest Speaker: Marine Veteran Andrew Schmidt
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21-Gun Salute conducted by the Motley American Legion Color Guard
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Taps
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Musical performance of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” by Brynn Bestland, Raina Mikhaeil, and Cicily Moe
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Complimentary Dilly Bars provided by Staples Dairy Queen
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Please bring lawn chairs for seating. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at Faith Lutheran Church.
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Memorial Day Speaker
Hospital Corpsman Andrew Schmidt
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Hospital Corpsman Andrew “Andy” Schmidt enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1976. He completed boot camp in Orlando, Florida, followed by Hospital Corps School in San Diego, California.
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After a brief leave to return home and marry his sweetheart, Nancy, Andy attended Field Service School at Camp Pendleton, where he transitioned to Marine Corps operational service.
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In 1977, he was stationed in Okinawa with the 3rd Force Service Support Group. He later returned to Camp Pendleton, (not by choice) serving with the 1st Marine Division until his honorable discharge in February 1980.
July 4th Celebration​
Staples Veterans Park​
Monday, July 4 | 11:00 a.m
The 4th of July celebration at the Veterans Park will begin at 11 am.
There will be lots of music and singing.​
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Program Highlights:
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Veteran Jerry Cleveland will be the guest speaker and talk about how it's our duty to serve an defend our nation
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Tristan Jenkins will speak about America 250 Anniversary
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Huck Holst will MC, Pastor Barry Klein will deliver the Invocation.
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Windwood Quintet, “Looney Tunes” made up from the Heartland Symphony will perform the Star Spangled Banner and patriotic medleys
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The Motley American Legion Color Guard will conduct a 21 gun Salute and will play taps.
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Granite pavers, John R. and John F. Giza granite bench, Pavilion, POW/MIA and The Purple Heart Memorial will be dedicated
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The event will be catered by Bubba’s Catering, serving beef brisket, pulled pork, coleslaw, salads and fruit with a free will donations.
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Please bring lawn chairs.
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In case of rain, the event will be held at Faith Lutheran Church.
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Memorial Day Speaker
Veteran Jerry Cleveland
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Jerry was born in Staples in 1949. He graduated from SHS in 1967. In 1969, he enlisted in the Army, four days before his classmate, Roger Jensen, was KIA in Vietnam. He completed Basic Training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, and then went to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, for Infantry Training, where he was assigned to Bravo Company before deploying to Vietnam. He served 15 months before returning home.
After his discharge, he coached wrestling, officiated, and spent his career in high school administration. In 2010, he retired and returned to Staples.