GALLERY: A look at Bay City, RF and Prescott Memorial Day observances

Posted 5/27/26

A big thank you to all veterans who served, especially those who are gone. Also, thank you to the American legions and auxiliaries for honoring our veterans and carrying on their legacies, along with …

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GALLERY: A look at Bay City, RF and Prescott Memorial Day observances

Bay City American Legion Honor Guard members (from left) Gene Hohmann, Dave Johnson, Devin Feuerhelm and Kelly Knudsen before the gun salute over Lake Pepin May 25.

Bay City American Legion Honor Guard members (from left) Gene Hohmann, Dave Johnson, Devin Feuerhelm and Kelly Knudsen before the gun salute over Lake Pepin May 25.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

Jerry Hasenberg of the Bay City American Legion Post 357 looks on as the Ellsworth Middle School band, under the direction of Weston Morley, performs “The Star-Spangled Banner” May 25 on the Lake Pepin shore.

Jerry Hasenberg of the Bay City American Legion Post 357 looks on as the Ellsworth Middle School band, under the direction of Weston Morley, performs “The Star-Spangled Banner” May 25 on the Lake Pepin shore.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth Middle School band members (from left) Jocelyn Raphael, Vanna Smythurst, Radley Gilbertson-Cross, Grace Turvaville, Kate Rohl and Alexis Bein perform May 25 on the shores of Lake Pepin at the Bay City Memorial Day observance.

Ellsworth Middle School band members (from left) Jocelyn Raphael, Vanna Smythurst, Radley Gilbertson-Cross, Grace Turvaville, Kate Rohl and Alexis Bein perform May 25 on the shores of Lake Pepin at the Bay City Memorial Day observance.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

(From left) Zak Zierl, Otto Jakes, Brennor Levers and Griffin Bible represent the brass section May 25 at the Bay City Memorial Day observance May 25.

(From left) Zak Zierl, Otto Jakes, Brennor Levers and Griffin Bible represent the brass section May 25 at the Bay City Memorial Day observance May 25.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

Kevin Converse (left) and Jerry Hasenberg of the Bay City American Legion welcomed attendees to the Memorial Day ceremony on the Bay City lakefront.

Kevin Converse (left) and Jerry Hasenberg of the Bay City American Legion welcomed attendees to the Memorial Day ceremony on the Bay City lakefront.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

Bugler Marn Peterson plays “Taps” over Lake Pepin May 25 at the Memorial Day ceremony. The sound of the mournful bugle echoed over glinting waters of the Mississippi.

Bugler Marn Peterson plays “Taps” over Lake Pepin May 25 at the Memorial Day ceremony. The sound of the mournful bugle echoed over glinting waters of the Mississippi.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The Presentation of Colors at the Bay City American Legion Memorial Day observance on Lake Pepin.

The Presentation of Colors at the Bay City American Legion Memorial Day observance on Lake Pepin.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The Prescott American Legion Post 61 Honor Guard shot into the air three times in remembrance of veterans who have passed on during one of their Memorial Day stops in downtown Prescott.

The Prescott American Legion Post 61 Honor Guard shot into the air three times in remembrance of veterans who have passed on during one of their Memorial Day stops in downtown Prescott.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

Jerry Klasen of Prescott American Legion Post 61 reads a prayer before the American flag-raising May 25 downtown Prescott.

Jerry Klasen of Prescott American Legion Post 61 reads a prayer before the American flag-raising May 25 downtown Prescott.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

Those raising the new American flag at the No Name in Prescott May 25 listen to “The Star-Spangled Banner” before unfurling the new flag.

Those raising the new American flag at the No Name in Prescott May 25 listen to “The Star-Spangled Banner” before unfurling the new flag.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The new “Star-Spangled Banner” gets ready to be hoisted into the Memorial Day sky by a group of volunteers at No Name in Prescott. Seeing it rise into the air gave attendees a glimpse of just how huge the flag is.

The new “Star-Spangled Banner” gets ready to be hoisted into the Memorial Day sky by a group of volunteers at No Name in Prescott. Seeing it rise into the air gave attendees a glimpse of just how huge the flag is.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The new “Star-Spangled Banner” gets ready to be hoisted into the Memorial Day sky by a group of volunteers at No Name in Prescott. Seeing it rise into the air gave attendees a glimpse of just how huge the flag is.

The new “Star-Spangled Banner” gets ready to be hoisted into the Memorial Day sky by a group of volunteers at No Name in Prescott. Seeing it rise into the air gave attendees a glimpse of just how huge the flag is.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The newly raised American flag at No Name in downtown Prescott waves proudly above a large Memorial Day crowd gathered for the American Legion’s tribute, which began at 10:15 a.m. sharp.

The newly raised American flag at No Name in downtown Prescott waves proudly above a large Memorial Day crowd gathered for the American Legion’s tribute, which began at 10:15 a.m. sharp.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The newly raised American flag at No Name in downtown Prescott waves proudly above a large Memorial Day crowd gathered for the American Legion’s tribute, which began at 10:15 a.m. sharp.

The newly raised American flag at No Name in downtown Prescott waves proudly above a large Memorial Day crowd gathered for the American Legion’s tribute, which began at 10:15 a.m. sharp.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

This flag commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary flies high over downtown Prescott from the No Name Saloon/Monkey Bar parking lot.

This flag commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary flies high over downtown Prescott from the No Name Saloon/Monkey Bar parking lot.

Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal

The gun salute at Greenwood Cemetery from the American Legion Post 121 Honor Guard on Memorial Day, May 25.

The gun salute at Greenwood Cemetery from the American Legion Post 121 Honor Guard on Memorial Day, May 25.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

American Legion Post 121 Commander Larry Larson welcomes a crowd to the Memorial Day program at River Falls’ Greenwood Cemetery.

American Legion Post 121 Commander Larry Larson welcomes a crowd to the Memorial Day program at River Falls’ Greenwood Cemetery.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

The River Falls High School Band played a pair of selections at the event at Greenwood Cemetery on May 25.

The River Falls High School Band played a pair of selections at the event at Greenwood Cemetery on May 25.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

Service members salute for the National Anthem sung by James Bohn of the Army.

Service members salute for the National Anthem sung by James Bohn of the Army.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

The United States Army flag waves in the wind at the River Falls American Legion Post 121 Memorial Day ceremony.

The United States Army flag waves in the wind at the River Falls American Legion Post 121 Memorial Day ceremony.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

The Croix Chordsmen, a singing group, sang the “Armed Forces Medley.” The group includes a member that is 101 years old.

The Croix Chordsmen, a singing group, sang the “Armed Forces Medley.” The group includes a member that is 101 years old.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

Community members filled Greenwood Cemetery for the ceremony, which came after cemetery services at five other River Falls area cemeteries.

Community members filled Greenwood Cemetery for the ceremony, which came after cemetery services at five other River Falls area cemeteries.

Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal

Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2026 10:40 am

A big thank you to all veterans who served, especially those who are gone. Also, thank you to the American legions and auxiliaries for honoring our veterans and carrying on their legacies, along with the VFW. We wish we could have made it to every ceremony, but we will rotate which ones we cover each year.