Vets honored with new memorial
After 10 years of planning, the new Owatonna Veterans Memorial has finally become a reality. The memorial was dedicated in front of about 500 people Saturday morning. Honor Guard Commander Jim Hoffmann, left, salutes as Dan Brewster performs Taps during the ceremony featuring the Owatonna Honor Guard. See page 8A for more photos from the dedication. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
It may have taken 10 years, but a dream has finally been realized as the Moonlighters Exchange Club dedicated the new Owatonna Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The dedication for the permanent memorial constructed at the corner of 18th Street and Austin Road next to the Steele County History Center attracted about 500 people. The dedication was led by the Owatonna Honor Guard.
“The dream of a lasting memorial was always alive in the hearts of many residents,” said Katie Smith, a member of the Moonlighters Exchange Club. “Our one main purpose was to get this memorial built. We were a real determined bunch. It was not an easy task.”
Smith pointed out how the Moonlighters have worked diligently on the project for about eight years while experiencing many disappointing obstacles along the way. “We’ve had to endure a lot of setbacks, hurdles and just plain red tape to get where we are today,” she said. “But creating a lasting legacy to honor our veterans who have served both here and abroad to preserve our freedoms and our democracy has been worth the battle.”
“Today we proudly honor our community’s heroes,” said Ben Cass, an Exchange member who led the official dedication. “Their courage was our greatest triumph, their sacrifice our greatest loss,” he said. “There are no greater heroes than those whose names are etched in these bronze plaques.”
The memorial, Cass said, will become a sacred place in Owatonna where people will gather to take pictures, where veterans will gather to share experiences with each other or just stand or sit alone to ponder thoughts they can never share with anyone. “We encourage them to use this memorial as a place to heal,” he said.
“We dedicate this memorial to be a place where children will learn lessons of freedom from their parents and grandparents,” Cass said.
He added the memorial is dedicated as a place where future generations will recognize the desire to acknowledge those who have sacrificed so much for freedom, and they will be encouraged to place the same importance on the site as is being done now.
Nicole Wacek shared a special tribute to Trudy Pierce, the widow of Mike Pierce, who spearheaded the memorial along with Wacek until he died in July. “Mike was a champion of many causes, but none was more important than remembering our veterans,” Wacek said. “Mike embodied the spirit of giving,” she added.
“Behind every great man, there is a great woman,” said Wacek. “Mike had a great woman behind him supporting him in everything he did. Their commitment to God and country was even greater, especially when it came to supporting our veterans.”
A ground marker has been dedicated to Mike Pierce at the foot of the memorial. Wacek also presented Trudy with a framed sketch portrait drawing of the couple completed by Al Smith of Owatonna.
Annette Duncan of the Moonlighters said, “This was a community effort. I want you to be proud of the work you’ve done.”
State Sen. John Jasinski and Rep. John Petersburg placed the wreath during the dedication. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar was unable to attend, but she sent a video message that was played later during a program in the History Center.