“Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2026 will occur on Monday, May 25. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.”

Honoring the fallen takes on much more significance when individuals, rather than a group, are recognized for their service. The Military Room in the Pioneer Museum has books listing 50 fallen Martin County service members from WWI and the 75 from WWII. When you see their picture, where they served, how they died and where they are buried, their sacrifices seem to become far more real.

The following are several examples of fallen WWI and WWII Martin County veterans taken from resources in the Military Room of the Pioneer Museum:

WWI: Ernest George Nassen – Ceylon. Inducted in Fairmont on June 25, 1918, served in Infantry as a Private. While fiercely engaged on the front lines in France was severely wounded on October 23, 1918, serving as a working as a stretcher bearer. He died of his wounds two days later and was buried at the American Argonne Cemetery. The Ceylon American Legion is named in his honor. Served from June 25, 1918-Oct. 25, 1918.

WWI: Edwin Carlson – East Chain. Inducted Feb. 26, 1918 in Fairmont, trained at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Fought in Belgian Front Lines. Stricken with pneumonia, taken to a British hospital and died on Nov. 8, 1918. Buried in American Cemetery at Dury-les Amiens, France. Served from Feb. 26, 1918-Nov. 8, 1918.

WWI: Lee C. Prentice – Fairmont. Enlisted May 15, 1917 at First Officers Training Camp, Fort Snelling and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Assigned to bombing section, Royal Flying Force (British) for long distance raids. Killed August 1, 1918, on second raid into German territory. Buried at St. Juvgon Cemetery south of Metz Germany. Fairmont American Legion Post named in his honor. Served from May 15, 1917-August 1, 1918.

WWII: George Winzenburg – Fairmont Entered service May 19, 1941, 2nd Lieutenant, and served in the Army Infantry Div. Engaged in bombing operations over Germany. Reported missing on Nov. 5, 1943 in bombing raid over Germany. Buried in U.S. Military Cemetery at Neuville-Eu-Condroz near Liege, Belgium. Served from May 19, 1942-November 5, 1943

WWII: Donald L. Schultz – Welcome Entered service March 18, 1943, in Army Infantry, Staff Sergeant. Served in European-African-Middle Eastern. Killed in action in Italy, May 25, 1944. Reburied in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Served March 18, 1943-May 25, 1944.

WWII: Robert A. Metz – Truman Entered service on Feb. 20, 1943, Army Air Corps, 2nd Lieutenant, completed 23 missions over France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Killed Aug. 11, 1944, while testing a plane that crashed. Buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont, Minnesota. Served from Feb. 20, 1943-August 11, 1944.

WWII: Helen Roehler – Fairmont Ensign, U.S. Navy, served as Navy Corp. Nurse 21 months, killed in airplane crash in Aleutian area on April 23, 1944. Reburied in Fort Snelling. Served from July 1942-April 23, 1944

WWII: Byron C. Carver – Triumph. Entered service Feb. 18, 1941, Army. Served in the Asiatic-Pacific, awarded Purple Heart and Bronze Star, Killed on April 18, 1945, on Island of Luzon. Served from Feb. 18, 1941-April 18, 1945.

When looking at the amount of time these individuals served it’s chilling to note that many served such a short time, in some instances less than a year, before sacrificing their lives for their country. Their efforts and bravery can’t be understated and deserve to be remembered on Memorial Day.

The preceding fallen individuals were randomly selected from the previously mentioned books in the Military Room of the Pioneer Museum. Regarding those from WWI, 28 of the 50 listed as deceased died of influenza or influenza related illnesses such as pneumonia rather than combat related injuries. The Spanish Flu Pandemic was in full force during that period of time.

Wars are paid for with lives lost. The Civil War accounted for 620,000 deaths, WWI cost 116,516, WWII cost 405,399 deaths, Korea had 36,518 fatalities, and Vietnam lost 58,209 soldiers.2 Considering other wars involving the United States such as the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and more the numbers only increase.

Memorial Day may signify the start of summer, a three-day weekend, and a time for relaxation. More importantly, it is a time to honor the memory of those men and women that have given their lives for this country.

For more information on this topic, or to become a member, visit the Pioneer Museum in Fairmont or its website at martincountymuseum.com