MSU President's Newspaper Column
May 24, 2025
Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and all veterans
On Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Always celebrated on the last Monday in May, the day of remembrance for fallen U.S. solders has been commemorated since the end of the Civil War but has been a federal holiday only since 1971. It’s the unofficial start of summer and over the years, it has become a time when people remember their loved ones by decorating graves and more.
Mayville State University’s commitment to showing respect for veterans and members of the U.S. Military is a tradition. MSU Football hosts a Military Appreciation Day during a home game each season. Another place where that respect can be witnessed on campus each and every day is at the Military Honor Garden, located on the south lawn of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center. In this place, all veterans are honored, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Martin Johnson, 1966 Mayville State graduate and USMC Corporal, and USMC Lieutenant General Emil “Buck” Bedard, 1965 Mayville State graduate, head up the Military Honor Garden project. These men have worked hard to ensure that the Military Honor Garden is an extra-special and meaningful tribute to those who bravely served and those who continue to serve, to uphold our country’s liberty and freedom.
This project is a tribute to Mayville State employees, students, and friends, and community men and women for their patriotic service in America’s Armed Forces. The intent is to honor anyone who has served in the military. Those honored definitely can be, but do not have to be, Mayville State alumni.
We appreciate the efforts of Mayville State graduate and May-Port CG School physical education teacher, Kellen Enget, and his students who spent time at the Military Honor Garden doing spring cleanup recently. I applaud Mr. Enget for his commitment to teaching students the importance of volunteer service/personal service, and I thank him and the students for their great work that helped to beautify the space for the upcoming summer months. Kellen and his students also spent time doing some spring cleanup in other campus areas. Hats off to these outstanding volunteers!
Many Mayville State students have answered the call to serve our country. One example is Robert Berg, who completed the requirements for his bachelor’s degree after the fall quarter of 1970, then went directly to boot camp because he had been drafted. Mr. Berg was not able to participate in spring commencement with his classmates in 1971, but we are happy to have had him cross the commencement stage during Commencement 2025 festivities on May 16. It was a special moment for Mr. Berg and for Mayville State.
If you’d like to sponsor a granite plaque in honor of a loved one at the Military Honor Garden, please contact the MSU Foundation staff at alumni.mail@mayvillestate.edu or 701-788-4787 to learn more. You can also see more information and make your gift online at www.mayvillestate.edu/militaryhonorgarden. Now is the time to make a commitment if you’d like to have a plaque in place for the annual Ceremony of Remembrance at the Military Honor Garden during Mayville State’s homecoming festivities on Sept. 27.
When you purchase an engraved plaque to be placed in the Military Honor Garden, a portion of the funds will be used to support the Veterans Honor Scholarship Endowment, which was established with substantial gifts from Emil and Linda Bedard and Martin and Diane Johnson. Earnings on the endowment fund scholarships that assist veterans who are pursuing degrees at Mayville State.
Over the decades, throughout all the conflicts and World Wars, hundreds of veterans from Mayville and Traill County have gone off to serve their country and have then returned home to pursue college education. College students who have served in all branches of the military have walked the campus of Mayville State, and after graduation, have brought that same spirit of service and leadership to their occupations as they brought to their selfless service of country. This endowment was created to honor their service and memory, especially for those who fell in battle.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to our veterans and U.S. Military personnel. It makes me Comet Proud to see how Mayville State’s tradition of respect for these celebrated heroes shines through various projects and events. Each of these actions represents our way of saying, “Thank you for your service.”
