9/11 tribute destined for Slayton and ‘26 Murray County Fair
The Slayton American Legion Erwin March Post 64 has always strived to keep fallen soldiers in our hearts and minds, and it will continue that tradition in 2026.
The Legion has booked the “Remember Our Fallen Traveling Tribute” for Aug. 11-16, which coincides with the Murray County Fair. It will be the penultimate stop for the tribute tour, which after will be on display for the final time in New York to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. After Sept. 11, 2026, the tribute will be retired from touring.
“I felt we had to do something for the 250th of the country at fair time … and a lot of people don’t think about this, but it’s the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” said Legion Commander Brad Pagel. “To have this here in our area, roughly a month before the 25th anniversary means something to me. These are core people over the 20 years of Iraq and Afghanistan — they’re the kids at the grocery store, parents, teachers that were in the National Guard that got called up when the Guard extended for two years.”
The traveling tribute from Patriotic Productions is a photographic war memorial that includes about 5,500 fallen that honors our country’s military heroes from The Global War on Terror (9/11, 2001-8/30, 2021). The memorial also includes those who died in training accidents, whether stateside or overseas, as well as those who served in the combat zone during this time, but succumbed to PTSD. Unlike brick and mortar memorials, “Remembering Our Fallen” is designed to travel and includes military and personal photos, as well as the name, rank and hometown of the fallen solider and how and when they were killed. Its legacy will be that these men and women will be remembered and their names will be spoken, while helping to lessen the grief of their families.
“There’s pictures that go with the names, so that will be the real emotional part,” said Pagel.
Pagel believes the oldest soldier on the tribute is 69, and the youngest is 18. There are approximately 109 Minnesota people who were killed or injured during the 20 years of combat in either Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I want the Gold Star families to be involved, too, especially the local ones,” Pagel said. “On August 11, I want to honor our local families.”
Pagel started researching the traveling tribute, which is based out of Omaha, NE, a year ago and thought it would be a good fit for this region, as it covers so many American soldiers and their families that were affected on and after 9/11. It is made up of 35 10-foot tall towers, and each tower is numbered; there is an index that guests can look at to see where to look for any particular solder.
The Legion is currently in full fundraising mode. The cost of just booking the tribute is roughly $17,000, but there are numerous ancillary costs associated with it, so about $30,000 is needed.
“That will cover the additional expenses — a motel room for the driver, the tent and tent rental and advertising,” Pagel said. “I haven’t had to work too hard, actually. It was an easy sell, getting people to sponsor a tower. We’ll take any donation amount, and everyone will be listed as a sponsor of the display. Right now, we’ve got just about enough to cover the cost of the display.”
If you wish to donate to the project, contact Pagel at 605-3663025 or email him at [email protected], or mail a donation to the American Legion Post 64, Slayton, MN 56172.
“I’m hoping, somehow, someway, it will give some of our guys who are struggling to this day a little bit of closure if they see their buddy memorialized in this way,” Pagel said. “I know several in this area served in the same unit. I’m trying to make this as big as we can for this area. Twenty-five years since 9/11 — anyone that can remember knows what they were doing that day.”
Pagel said it’s important for everyone of any age to remember 9/11 but fears that it has become just another footnote of American history.
“In schools, 9/11 has gone down to just a couple paragraphs,” he said. “This is an education thing for the communities. No one wants to talk about it, but this needs to be talked about.”
