Pearson is honored during annual Memorial Day celebration
WAUSA — The 102nd Memorial Day service for Wausa was held in the City Auditorium Monday.
Mark Dawson welcomed those attending and led them in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mike Kumm and Mark Dawson read the roll call of the deceased veterans buried in area cemeteries: Woodlawn Cemetery, Magnet Cemetery, Golgotha Cemetery and Thabor Lutheran cemetery. There were 303 veterans who were recognized.
While the names were being read, area children brought bouquets of poppies to be placed by the white crosses in front of the auditorium.
Rev. Lane Grone gave the Memorial prayer, the address and benediction. He reminded the people of the sacrifice of the soldiers who have fought to keep our America free. He shared about the sacrifice that Jesus gave when He died on the cross.
The Wausa High School Band played “Fanfare” as the Color Guard brought the flags into the assembly. Their musical selection was “At Sight Concert March”. With the retiring of the Colors, they again played “Fanfare”. The band was led by Mrs. Patricia Sedivy.
The program recognized the four men from Wausa who were killed in action during the Vietnam War: Pfc Robert Nelson July 27, 1967; Spec. 4 Monty G. Lackas March 24, 1969; Spec. 4 Mickey Pearson May 6, 1970; Seaman David Larson Aug. 8, 1972. This year Spec. 4 Mickey Pearson was honored.
The other three men will be honored in the next three years.
The long Vietnam War came to a close with a cease fire beginning Jan. 27, 1973 and the soldiers began to come home to be reunited with their loved ones. Many came home before that, but in a flag-draped coffin. One of these was Mickey Pearson.
Excerpts from letters that Mickey had sent home during his seven-month stay in Vietnam were read by his brother Larry Pearson, and Larry’s son, Tim Pearson.
The letters ended when Mickey was killed in action on May 6, 1970.
Letters that were sent to the family after his death by two men who were there on that fateful day were also read. They told of Mickey’s great leadership and his willingness to put his life on the line for this fellow soldiers. The letters told the family that Mickey’s death was not in vain as he saved many other lives that day.
Prior to his death, Mickey was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, Expert Badge with rifle bar, Sharpshooter Badge with automatic rifle bar and Marksman Badge with machine gun bar.
Mickey was awarded Posthumously the Bronze Star Medal for heroism with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, Army Commendation Medal for heroism, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
The conclusion of the Memorial Day program was held outside in the Memorial Park where the crosses honoring the six soldiers who are buried overseas were decorated.
Pastor Lane Grone gave a prayer. While the Wausa High School Band played “Star Spangled Banner” the American flag was raised and then lowered to half-staff.
A salute to the deceased veterans was led by VFW Post Commander, Larry Carlson, who gave the order for the 21-gun salute. “Taps” was played by Jon Nissen and Colton Baue and echoed by Mrs. Sedivy.
Thank you to the American Legion Earl Norman Post No. 63, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Roy Carlson Post No. 5824 and their auxiliaries for the Memorial Day Program 2021.
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