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VOL. 17 NO. 12 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00

HUGO GARDENS : Deemed ‘nice addition’ to city PAGE 12

Good Neighbor Days officially canceled for 2020

Commemorating 2020 Memorial Day in different way BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER

The annual Memorial Day parade has been canceled. A program at Union Cemetery with the American Legion is also canceled, as is the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Sailor at Sea program at Veterans Park. “We’re obviously disappointed, but we can’t meet the (COVID-19) guidelines to hold a gathering,” said VFW spokesman and former Post Commander Barry Henricksen. Nor can people return to the VFW or the American Legion for refreshments and fellowship after the morning program. Both establishments remain closed. Regardless of the cancellations, Henricksen asks that people remember the true meaning of Memorial Day, which commemorates those service members who paid the ultimate price. “If we’re not allowed to gather, please remember those no longer with us who were killed

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

” defending our country,” Henricksen said. Mike Martens, American an st Legion adjutant, said Post ’s lead. 168 is following the VFW’s ordinate The two posts always coordinate hat the annual celebration that ogram at includes a parade and program ear is no the cemetery, and this year different. Hugo American Legion Post 620 has honored the fallen at area cemeteries on Memorial Day for 72 years. This year, Commander Greg Burmeister issued the following statement: “It is my sad duty as Commander of Legion Post 620 to inform our veterans and citizens in the surrounding communities that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions applied by the governor, and to protect our members, the 2020 Memorial Day ceremonies are canceled.” Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official

fede fe der l dera federal n 11971. 971. holiday in In May 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, the commanderin-chief of the Union veterans’ k th Grand G d group known as the Army of the Republic, issued a decree that May 30 should become a nationwide day of commemoration for the more than 620,000 soldiers killed in the Civil War, which had recently ended. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May; this year on the 25th. The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to the top of the staff. And since 2000, when the U.S. Congress passed legislation, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Public encouraged to light up the night American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford is urging the public to honor the country’s fallen military heroes at dusk on Memorial Day by lighting candles of remembrance and placing them on front porches. The commander also suggests that families make signs expressing their gratitude for military sacrifice, photograph friends and family holding up the signs and sharing the images on social media.

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For White Bear, Union Cemetery holds special significance on Memorial Day. The citywide parade, canceled this year, always ends with a short program by veterans groups at the cemetery to honor those who served.

SEE GOOD NEIGHBOR DAYS, PAGE 15 SEE MEMORIAL DAY, PAGE 8

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HUGO — The Hugo Lions had to make the tough decision to officially call off Good Neighbor Days for 2020. The Lions took a vote May 6 to cancel. “It was the right decision. The hardest thing is all the money we raise for the year comes from that event,” said Hugo Lion Dan Balthazor. “Generally, on a good weekend of Good Neighbor Days, we can raise anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000. That is money that we will not have for the community.” The Lions were considering offering a smaller scale Good Neighbor Days in the fall but decided against that, too. “We have really tried to promote the family get-together. Back in the day, everybody thought it was just a band, beer and hangout kind of thing. With all the new residents and families moving into the area, we have really tried to make it more of a family-friendly destination,” Balthazor explained. “The problem with doing it in the fall is it is not going to have that vibe. It would be a one-day thing, maybe have a food truck and petting zoo, but it is not going to have a carnival or have that family atmosphere.” Mayor Tom Weidt said, “It is certainly another victim of this terrible outbreak we have been experiencing. Hopefully, next year it will be back bigger and better than ever.” The good news is that many of the contracts that were already signed for this year’s event will be honored for 2021. The Lions plan to continue meeting throughout the summer, when they normally do not meet, to try to come up with creative ways to fundraise so they are still able to be there for the community when there are needs. The Lion’s Community Golf Scramble is also still on for August; however, instead of one

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