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Church group hosts Memorial Day dinner fundraiser for vets

Fergus Falls Daily Journal - 5/28/2018

May 26--By Emma Uhrich

emma.uhrich@fergusfallsjournal.com

The Mountain Men of Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church are putting on their annual Memorial Day dinner for the 22nd year.

The group was inspired by a man who would go around town selling Christmas trees in the winter, "It didn't matter how much he made, but he would always give it to a church or an organization that needed it," Mountain Man Myron Wicklund said.

Years later, the group still continues in the spirit of the man who inspired the conception of the event. The 23 member group has had upwards of 400 people attend the Thrivent Action Event in the past. However, they received around 250 last year, so Wicklund is not sure what to expect out with the upcoming event. In the past, the small church group has been able to raise around $4,500 for the food shelf from the dinner, and the funds for this year are already underway.

The goal for Memorial Day 2018 is to raise resources for a new bus for the Minnesota Veterans Home. The bus will be used for transporting residents to medical appointments and recreational activities. With about $2,700 already donated by local businesses such as First National Bank in Battle Lake, other church members and the Wadena VFW, the event is sure to be able to help in a big way for this Memorial Day. With Mason Brothers Wholesale Grocery donating buns and other church members volunteering their time, Wicklund said "People are generally willing to help out with the event."

In addition to the dinner and Glory Deo Bell Choir entertainment, there will also be a gun salute. Not only is this something for the Mountain Men, but also for other groups in the area. For example, the Underwood American Legion Post 489 will be saluting 13 cemeteries on Memorial Day. The 21-gun salute will begin at Tordenskjold Free Lutheran Church and will include other church cemeteries such as Messiah Lutheran Church and Aurdal Lutheran Church. The 21-gun salutes are to honor veterans who have fallen and now reside in the cemeteries.

The dinner will be held at Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday May 28. The church can be found at 43339 County Highway 6 in Clitheral, 1 mile East of Highway 5. The event will begin with the cemetery ceremony honoring the veterans at 10 a.m. Enjoy a meal featuring barbecue, hot dogs, ham, baked beans, potato salad, watermelon and brownies while being entertained by the Glory Deo Bell Choir at 12-1pm. The church will be receiving a free will offering in return for the dinner and all are welcome as said by Mountain Man Wicklund.

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(c)2018 the Fergus Falls Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minn.)

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