Eagan Turns Out For First Memorial Day Tribute

Eagan mayor Mike Maguire was joined by a bevy of local officials at the inaugural Memorial Day celebration at the city's new Tribute and Memorial Plaza at Central Park. 

Tom Mullon, commander of American Legion Post 594, orchestrated the celebration with the help and careful planning of Margo Danner, Eagan resident and past president of the Lioness Club.

"This is an opportunity to recognize those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," Mullon said. "We want that number to remain as low as possible but we must continue to protect the freedom we enjoy everyday."

The event drew a healthy crowd and featured speeches from 2010 Senator Jim Carlson, Police Chief Jim McDonald, Fire Chief Mike Scott and retired Lt. Colonel Joe Repya.

"This is a wonderful thing," Maguire explained. "This community has lacked a war memorial for a long time. It is important to dedicate ourselves to honoring the memory of those soliders and police and fire officers that have given their lives in the line of duty."

"It is a privilege to be here today," McDonald added. "Without the efforts and patriotism of this community, we would not have this memorial plaza and we would not be here today."

Also present were State Representative Doug Wardlow (R-District 38B) and Eagan residents Wayne and Gwen Olsen, whose son Dan was killed in Iraq in April 2007 while protecting an Iraqi police station during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

WWII veteran Charles Hedges of Eagan gave the Pledge of Allegiance and Eastview High School graduate and 2009 Miss Minnesota Brooke Kilgarriff sang the National Anthem and God Bless America.

Eagan's current State Senator, Ted Daley (R-District 38), was unable to attend the ceremony after being called back to active duty.  

Check back tomorrow for a full photo gallery of the Memorial Day celebration.