Memorial Day: Events in the Inver Grove Heights Area

Memorial Day honors those who died serving our country. If you are not able to attend a Memorial Day service or flag-raising, consider recognizing a minute of silence during the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.

American flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon, then "raised briskly" until sunset, according to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

If you would like to learn more about Memorial Day, visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs information page.

Masses and Ceremonies

A Memorial Day celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m., rain or shine. Retired Major General Eugene Andreotti is scheduled to speak. Music and refreshments will be provided. 

There will be a Memorial Day Mass celebrated at 10 a.m., rain or shine. The Mass is followed by refreshments. The cemetery office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Monday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. The cemetery itself is open from dawn to dusk.

A Memorial Day Mass is scheduled from 10 to 10:40 a.m. in the historic chapel. The parish office will be closed. 

The honor guard will be performing flag-raising ceremonies around the metro area the morning of Memorial Day, arriving at St. Peter's Cemetery sometime around 11:15-11:30 a.m. Arrive early to catch the flag-raising at the historic cemetery.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery Service

Across the bridge in Minneapolis, a Memorial Day service is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Veterans and service members are encouraged to wear their uniforms. Arrive early and assemble on Mallon Road between the flag post and the staging area. The cemetery is located off 494-W at 7601 34th Avenue South.

Minneapolis Veterans Home 

Gather on the patio outside the Chapel of Peace at 2 p.m. for a ceremony featuring guest speaker Lt. Col. John Morris. The address is 5101 Minnehaha Avenue South, Minneapolis.

Historic Sites

Historic Fort Snelling Opening Weekend

 Memorial Day weekend marks the official opening of the Historic Fort Snelling Site. Costumed historical guides will provide tours and demonstrations as well as other activities, including children's games, starting Friday. Veterans are admitted free. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day.  

The Sibley House Historic Site in Mendota also opens for the season on Memorial Day weekend. Visitors can tour the homes and learn about the fur trade and Minnesota's first governor. The site is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Monday, and from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

At the State Capitol

Veterans for Peace Service

Veterans for Peace will hold a Memorial Day service at 9:30 a.m. just east of the Vietnam War Memorial at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. 

Vietnam Veterans of America Service

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 470 from Anoka County hosts their annual Memorial Day service at the Minnesota State Capitol's Vietnam War Memorial, beginning at 3 p.m. This is the 20th anniversary of the war memorial.

On the Radio Waves

Minnesota Military Radio Broadcast

If you want to tune in from from your living room, Minnesota Military Radio will broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130. The show will be archived on minnesotamilitaryradiohour.com.

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