Saluting veterans on Owatonna

OWATONNA — The song of an unseen bugler echoed through downtown Owatonna Wednesday, as did the sound of the rifles of U.S. veterans — gunshots ringing out in tribute to the heroes of American freedom.

The annual flag raising ceremony began sharply at 11 a.m. at the Steele County Courthouse.

The significance of 11 a.m. on Veterans Day began with the ending of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice agreement.

After community members and veterans observed the annual flag-raising, most moved on to the American Legion, where a luncheon was held in the Veterans honor and a special presentation was held for Purple Heart recipients of Steele County.

Silver Star Families of America co-founder Diana Creed-Newton traveled from Missouri to Steele County with SSFA national secretary Sunshine Roth to hand out silver star flags to the 22 Purple Heart recipients.

“Steele County Minnesota is the only county in Minnesota that signed a proclamation to become a Silver Star (county),” Creed-Newton said, a fact that influenced her decision to celebrate the holiday in Owatonna.

Silver Star Families of America was founded by Creed-Newton and her husband in 2005 to help honor veterans who are injured or suffer an illness due to combat injuries, such as post-traumatic stress or effects of Agent Orange.

“We consider post-traumatic-stress a combat wound,” Creed-Newton said.

The Purple Heart is the United State’s oldest military award. It is given in the name of the president to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the military.

“The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized badges of honor,” said Paul Spyhalski, an Austin, Minn. attorney serving as a representative for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Minnesota.

Spyhalski said his grandfather, a member of the Army who served during World War II, was a Purple Heart recipient.

Now, as a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Spyhalski asked Steele County Veterans to join the order.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart has a national headquarters in Arlington Va. and helps lobby the U.S. Legislature in matters pertaining to veterans.

“We are still waiting on a [Veterans Affairs] budget and it’s been late for the twentieth time in 23 years,” Spyhalski said.

Debra McGregor, with the Steele County Veterans Services, said the response of Purple Heart recipients and their families to the invitation to the ceremony was fabulous.

“It exceeded our expectations to have a packed house,” McGregor said.

More information about Steele County Veterans can be found by calling 444-7460.

Wendy Reuer can be reached at 444-1565.

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