People who have served will get a special salute in Eagan on Memorial Day.
Local veterans groups are planning a Memorial Day service at the Eagan Tribute and Memorial Plaza, a longtime dream largely completed last fall. The plaza features bronze statues, flags and written memorials to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
"This is our first opportunity to have a Memorial Day service there," said Tom Mullon, commander of local American Legion Post 594. "The theme, of course, is to recognize and memorialize those who have passed away in the line of duty, both military, police and fire personnel. There will be no politics."
The ceremony begins at 2 p.m., with speeches by state Sen. Ted Daley, R-Eagan, and other officials. Former Miss Minnesota Brooke Kilgarriff will sing "The Star Spangled Banner," and everyone is welcome to share in refreshments afterward.
"We hope it will be a tradition," said Margo Danner, a past president of the Eagan Lioness Club.
The groups are still $15,000 short of what they need to add a bronze likeness of someone in the military.
Much of the $150,000 project has been covered by donations and $100,000 in state bond money. "It's tough these days," Danner said. "We do what we can do and people give what they can. Everything is appreciated."
Donations can be made at www.give mn.org or by mail to the Eagan Tribute Fund, c/o Eagan Foundation, P.O. Box 211192, Eagan, Minn. 55121.
