By Kristine Kern & Curt Hendel
“Thank you” two small words that mean so much. The family of Sylvester “Sy” Lonneman along with many friends, fellow veterans and legion members, gathered at the Luverne Veterans Home on Saturday, March 4th, 2017 as Minnesota State Representative Tim Walz hosted an official medal ceremony to present Sy with the Bronze Star Medal. Sy earned the Bronze Star in 1953 for his meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy during the Korean War from February 1, 1952 through March 12, 1953. The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone. When Sy received the Bronze Star in 1953 there was no ceremony, the medal was mailed to him. Now almost 64 years to the day that he earned it Sy received a proper ceremony as the medal was officially pinned on.
Representative Walz was at the Luverne Veterans Home for another medal ceremony earlier this year when Sy’s brother Anthony, approached him and shared some family military history. Sy is one of six brothers who served in the military. When Anthony shared Sy’s Bronze Star story Representative Walz asked if Sy and his family would be interested in having an official medal ceremony at the Veterans Home where Sy has been a resident for almost three years. Sy and his family were honored that Sy was being recognized with this ceremony. Walz and his office gathered Sy’s military information together and worked with Veterans Home Administrator Duane Mabon to set the ceremony up. About the ceremony Representative Walz said “you don’t mail a Bronze Star, you present it with thanks. Someone who has earned a Bronze Star has done something pretty special.” He stressed that this ceremony is as much for the younger generations as for Sy so they know what Sy and men like him have sacrificed for our freedoms.
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