Although the traditional Memorial Day events were cancelled this year, VFW Post 328 and American Legion Post 59 conducted a brief ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park.

Master of Ceremonies, Bud Erickson, reminded the small gathering that the purpose of Memorial Day is to honor the military men and women who died while serving their country in the armed forces.

Following the laying of the wreath on the memorial centerpiece honoring the 174 Stoughton area men and women killed in action in past wars, VFW Commander, Ilein Taipe, and Legion Commander, Sonny Swangstu, read the names of 35 Stoughton-area veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day and sounded the bell for each of them.

The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute from the Legion Post 59 Honor Guard, followed by the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag. The final event was the playing of Taps by Rod Hereid.

The ceremony was recorded by WSTO TV and can be viewed at this link: http://wsto.tv/vod/2020/5/memorial-day-2020.

A photo gallery on our website can be viewed here: Memorial Day Ceremony - 2020