Memorial Day service held in Mason City (AUDIO)

MASON CITY — A Memorial Day service was conducted Monday at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

The guest speaker was Leon Christianson, a Marine Corps Leagues associate member who actively participated in building the Lake Mills veterans monument as well as helped with eight Honor Flights from north-central Iowa to Washington DC.

Christianson shared his memories of the Honor Flights, including a thank you letter that he received from a Purple Heart Vietnam veteran in 2012 who lost his arm and suffered other major injuries.  “When we said we were a Vietnam vet, it was like you had the plague. It’s not been an easy ride the past 44 years. Tuesday night, I hope I experienced a new beginning. I saw the America that I fought for. Pride, celebration, smiles and happiness. It was truly a humbling experience. Thank you. My faith in mankind has been renewed. I am forever indebted to you and your staff. I can finally say that I’m home.”

Christianson says Vietnam veterans remember how poorly they were treated when coming home from their time of service and never want to see that kind of treatment again.    “We all know how the Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home from war, but these same Vietnam veterans have adopted the slogan ‘never again will one generation of veterans ever abandon another’. When soldiers come home today, it’s the Vietnam veterans who are first in line to welcome them home.”

  You can listen to Monday’s Memorial Day service via the audio player below