A Tribute to Our Veterans

Order of Events
Flyover of vintage military planes (weather permitting)
...........pilots from the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, MN
“The Star-Spangled Banner”........................................sung by Angie Reichmann
Welcome............................................................................................Tom Anderson
Message...........................................................................Rev. Dr. Mike Bartolomeo
Taps...................................................................................played by Steve Pederson
Rifle Salute....................................................................VVA Post #235 Rifle Squad
Presentation of Flag to Navy SEAL Joseph Hanson’s Family..United States Navy
Final Thoughts.................................................................................Erin Petermeier
“God Bless America”.....................................................sung by Angie Reichmann

Veterans Memorial Park
Thanks to the work of several local volunteers and many generous donors, Alexandria’s Veterans Memorial Park honors veterans, living or deceased, of all branches of the United States Armed Forces going back to the 19th century. The park features a 9-foot granite replica of the Liberty Bell and flags of the United States, State of Minnesota, POW-MIA, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The names of over 7,000 veterans are inscribed on the granite monoliths. This beautiful setting provides reflection, inspiration, and healing. The Veterans Memorial Park was completed and opened to the public in July 2020. The Veterans Memorial Park is incorporated as a non-profit in the State of Minnesota and has 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.

Special Thanks To…
Russ Oorlog
American Legion Post #87
VFW Post #936
Vietnam Veterans of America Post #235 Rifle Squad
Marine Corps League #1409
Pilots Participating in the Flyover
Steve Pederson
Angie Reichmann
All Veterans Who Have Served Our Country

Joseph Hanson, Navy SEAL
Joseph Francis Hanson was born October 4, 1950, in Alexandria, MN, the son of Reuben and Emma (Weber) Hanson. He was raised in Alexandria, where he attended school. Joseph was an Eagle Scout and a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol. Following his graduation from Jefferson High School, Joseph continued his education at Alexandria Technical College. He received degrees in physics and engineering from St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota.
At age twenty-five, Joseph joined the Navy, completed special warfare training, and became a Navy SEAL. He served on active duty for five years and completed twenty years in the Naval Reserves. He attained the rank of Major and was activated late in his career for service during the Gulf War. Following his discharge from active duty with the Navy, he continued to work as a civil employee of the Navy doing underwater welding projects. Joseph, and his family, were proud of his service to his country.

Rev. Dr. Mike Bartolomeo , founding pastor of Church for the Harvest
Mike Bartolomeo enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1983 when he was 18 years old. Immediately upon enlisting, he was sent to basic training for 13 weeks and then to Marine Corps Base Camp in Lejeune, NC, for additional training in his military occupational specialty (MOS). In the Marine combat arms, he was trained on Field Artillery and as a Nuclear Weapons Technician “0811-0812” MOS.
While serving in the Marines, Mike received orders to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Okinawa, Japan; mainland Japan stationed at Camp Fuji and Camp Hanson; and Subic Bay, Philippines. All of his promotions in the service were meritoriously awarded. He received his Rifle expert Badge 2nd award, letters of appreciation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Meritorious Mast, and Good Conduct Medal. Mike was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1986.
Mike has three children: Zac, Destiny, and Moriah. Moriah joined the Marines in 2017 and was recently awarded the 2020 Marine of the Year award while stationed at MCRD in San Diego, CA.