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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester's commemoration of the federal Memorial Day Holiday features a program honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation at the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial.

The program begins at 10:30 AM and will be preceded by a musical performance from the Mayo Clinic Plummer Building Carillon starting at 10 AM. The community’s Memorial Day events also include a procession through downtown Rochester beginning at 9:45.

Memorial Day parade, Rochester - Kim David, Townsquare Media
Memorial Day parade, Rochester - Kim David, Townsquare Media
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The procession will run from the intersection of 4th Street and 1st Avenue Southwest and run south on 1st Avenue before turning west on 6th Street and then south again on 3rd Avenue to the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. Anyone wishing to participate in the procession is asked to report to the starting point for staging at 9:15 AM.

Following the program at the memorial, local veterans organizations will be honoring the dead whose remains are buried at sea with a ceremony on the Center Street Bridge just north of the Mayo Civic Center at noon. That will be followed by services of local cemeteries.

Sixty Thousand American Flags Set Up In Size And Shape Of Vietnam Veterans Memorial
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Numerous other communities in the Rochester area also have Memorial Day programs and services planned to honor members of the US armed services and others who have given their lives in their service to their country.

flag half-staff
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It is customary to lower the US flag to half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day. At 12 noon, the flag should be raised to full staff while "bells throughout the land should be told for five minutes" and "every comrade shall remain standing with uncovered head and tribute to our departed comrades."

TRIBUTE: 29 U.S. Service Members From Minnesota Killed During the War in Afghanistan

After 20 years of war, 29 men and women from Minnesota made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan while serving our country during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Scroll through the photos below and pay tribute to our fellow Minnesotans who served with valor.

The information below comes from the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count