ABOV: Congressman Brad Finstad, representative of District 1, gives a Memorial Day message to those gathered at the Martin County Veterans Memorial in Fairmont on Monday.

FAIRMONT– In giving a Memorial Day message at the Martin County Veterans Memorial in Fairmont on Monday, Congressman Brad Finstad asked those gathered to remember what America is about and what the day is about.

“As we’re approaching our 250th birthday, we have to remember, we didn’t get here by accident,” Finstad said. “What was the dream that our founders and our framers had 250 years ago and why was it worth fighting for?”

He talked about the sacrifices that have been made and the freedom and opportunities that have come as a result of it.

“We have to be thankful and we have to remember,” Finstad said.

ABOVE: Girl Scout Daisies, Olivia Wright, Alice Jacobs, Isla Pomerenke and Kaihlen Doll, carry their banner down Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont during the parade for the Memorial Day program.

Speaking more of the sacrifices, Finstad acknowledged that many Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“During the Civil War, over 600,000 men and women gave their lives for our freedoms,” he said.

He went on to list the numbers of those who died in other events, including: 116,516 in World War 1; 405,399 in World War II; 36,574 in the Korean War; 58,220 in Vietnam; 383 in the Gulf War; 2,349 in Operation Enduring Freedom; 4,418 in Operation Iraqi Freedom; 96 in Operation Inherent Resolve.

“These aren’t just numbers. These are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles. These are our neighbors. These are fellow Americans and they were willing, out of their love you for and I and our country, to pay the ultimate price for our freedom. That’s what today is about,” Finstad said.

He said he was thankful to those present who were taking the time to show respect and acknowledge that the sacrifices meant something.

ABOVE: Madisyn Peyman does the drum roll while Fairmont High School Band Director, Kate Kallenbach watches as Sons of the American Legion members, Tim Hardt and Kevin Rubedor, raise the flag Monday morning at Veterans Park in Fairmont at the start of the Memorial Day program.

“Let’s live life worthy of their sacrifices. Let’s life a life worthy to give the next generations another 250 years of the greatest county that this world has ever seen,” Finstad said, which was met with applause from the crowd.

However, he acknowledged that for Americans there is a lot to be frustrated about and to complaint about, but he said at the end of the day it’s important to remember that we live in a great country.

“We have freedoms that other counties can only dream of,” Finstad said. “We have opportunities that other countries could only scarcely imagine.”

He encouraged those present to lean into each other and into the love of their country and remember that the flag means something.

ABOVE: The Fairmont High School marching band rounds the corner in front of Veterans Park in Fairmont on Monday morning at the start of the Memorial Day parade in Fairmont.

“Let us make it a part of our habit to stop and pay our respects to this flag when we see it. To put our hand on our chest and to loudly proclaim the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the Star Spangled Banner. In doing that we will then memorialize and give tribute and remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Finstad said.

Prior to Finstad’s message, the Memorial Day program in Fairmont began with the raising of the flag by the Sons of the American Legion at Veterans Park. A parade processional then left Veterans Park and made its way to the Martin County Veterans Memorial on Winnebago Avenue.

There, American Legion Post 36 Commander, Steve Fosness, led the large crowd in saying the Pledge of Allegiance and American Legion Post 36 Chaplain, Cory Germain, led the invocation and later the benediction.

The Fairmont High School marching band, which had played in the parade, also played each military branch song and those who had served were asked to stand for their own respective songs.

Other aspects of the program included Allison Streit reciting In Flanders Fields and members of the Girl Scouts placing a wreath on a grave representing those who have given their life for our country. Members of the VFW Post 1222 also gave a rifle salute.