On the day a famous Minnesota soldier - one of the original four to raise the flag at Iwo Jima - passed away and made headlines across the country, the New York Mills V.F.W. Post 3289 burial detail quietly and respectfully honored a local veteran.
The burial detail averages 30 funerals a year in NY Mills and surrounding communities. The Mills V.F.W. has developed a great reputation over the years in how they handle military burials. They do it right and word gets around. The Mills detail has conducted the military funeral rituals in towns in the immediate area, as well as at Fort Snelling.
The late Ray Sonnenberg, who passed away a couple years ago, started the burial detail at the Mills V.F.W. in 1986. It was Ray's gruff and growly guidance that started this honor detail and his legend lives on today amongst his friends at the club.
"We used to practice out back here at the club," Jerry Anderson recalled after doing a funeral last week in Mills. "Ray used to always say, 'if we ain't going to do it right we ain't doing it at all."
Anderson, who just about everybody knows him as "Hacker", and Mike Kawlewski are both in their 20th year on the burial detail. On June 24 a burial detail of nine Mills V.F.W. members went to the funeral of Raymond Koehler at the Apostolic Lutheran Church and conducted a military graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Mills.
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Being able to honor fellow veterans is something the group takes a lot of pride in.
"We recognize the honor it stands for," said Scott Koennicke. "Without these guys and their sacrifice we wouldn't have the things today that people complain about."
Koennicke is a veteran of the first Gulf War and served in 1990-91. Koennicke took over as V.F.W. Post 3289 Commander at the end of June.
What this burial detail does is impressive and meaningful to the many families they serve each year. Hacker says the club doesn't charge families and if they do 10 funerals they'll receive 10 cards, with many families sending donations to show their appreciation.
The graveside ritual consists of, in part, a gun salute, playing of "Taps", folding of the flag and presenting the flag to surviving spouse or family member. The detail hires a local kid to play "Taps" when they do the military funerals. Dale Frost points out the school has always been good about letting students out to participate in the funerals throughout the year.
Hacker, who served in an artillery unit in Vietnam in 1970-71, is the leader of the burial detail. He barks out the orders, which slice through the air at an otherwise silent cemetery, and the veterans snap to attention.
As the detail gathered at the club for a couple beers following Koehler's funeral they talked about what it means to them to serve on the burial detail.
"I was born and raised in this town," Hacker said. "I know most of these people. It's an honor to do it."
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Dale Frost was one of nine on the detail this last funeral. His son, Terry, is currently serving with the National Guard in Iraq and was an active member of the club before being shipped out. It's a tough thing to think about for these guys but having to do a funeral for a local guy serving in the war today is in the back of their minds.
"You always wonder about what could happen," Kawlewski said. "That's one detail I wouldn't want to be on."
The conversation quickly shifted, turning toward more positive discussion. When Hacker informed the others that Lindberg had passed away they tipped their beers to honor another lost W.W. II veteran. They even found a connection to Mills. Hacker told the group, Lindberg's grandson married the granddaughter of Don Hagel, who happens to be from Mills.
Hacker carries in his wallet a card given to him by a biker during the Ronald McDonald House Benefit Ride. The card helps remind him how important it is what the V.F.W. Post 3289 burial detail does.
The card reads: Dear American Hero, I am not certain as to how to express my gratitude for all you have done to secure my freedom. Please accept this simple card as a small token of my appreciation.
A grateful American citizen.
