top of page

BIG Changes in 2023!

 1. Now a 10 mile route! 

Enjoy the scenic River Trail Loop in Hastings, MN

Hastings Trail Ma.jpg

 2. New Pre-Registration Dinner Event 

Fuel up and catch up with fellow Veterans
and other walkers the night prior!
Hosted by the 2nd St Depot

IMG_9862.heic

 3. Step off now part of community program 

Hear Veterans share stories of whom we will walk for
Part of a community program with music
Hosted by the Hastings American Legion 

Memorial_Day_2018 (31).JPG
IMG_1583.HEIC

Want to be in the loop?

  Follow us on 

pngkey.com-facebook-icon-white-png-1536567.png

 Registration opens April 1st! 

Yes, you still can.
We accept donations year 'round!

Enjoy some pictures from last year's event...

The March
Logo_MarchForThem.jpg
IMG_1458.heic
IMG_1460.HEIC.heic


What is this?
We're a group of Veterans from all branches of service, PLUS any others who are welcome to join us, that do
a scenic 10 mile walk (aka road march) on Memorial Day to honor our fallen comrades and to raise awareness for the holiday. Along the route we have Honor Markers at each mile with our fallen comrades, family or friends to honor them, and to remind us who we are walking for. Our new route is the scenic 10 mile River Trail Loop of Hastings, MN.

Yes, you can do it! 
We walk at a 3mph pace and stop every 3 miles for a 10-15 min break. At each stop, aka Check Point, we are greeted by awesome volunteers with great food and beverages. 


We will help you prepare!
More details on the March including tips on preparation, a suggested packing list, the exact route, what to expect will be on the Registration page, which can be found here.

IMG_1488.HEIC.heic
IMG_1485.HEIC.heic
IMG_1504.HEIC.heic
IMG_1529.HEIC.heic

Help Us Grow, Join Us!
We had the most walkers last year at 24. We'd love to see many more in 2023!  It is FREE for Veterans and again, anyone can walk. You don't have to be a Veteran. Your kid can walk too. If you have a child under 18 they can walk so long as you are with them. You both just have to register as individual walkers.


Whether you walk, donate, sponsor or attend the Finish in Hastings we appreciate any involvement. Your support is greatly appreciated.

IMG_1574.HEIC.heic
IMG_6146.HEIC.heic

 Follow Us On 

 Want to see more? 
Here are a few extra Kodak moments from 2021.. 

For Them
57536215_2235932866463286_6868529781575516160_n (1).jpg

  We March For Them..  

 These men and women from all branches of service have made the ultimate sacrifice.  We recognize them with Honor Markers along our route. They are placed every mile to remind us, and others, who we are walking for. Memorial Day is For Them..  

Screen Shot 2019-05-01 at 9.22.30 AM.png


New Honor Markers are added each year by new Marchers. They must walk to place a marker and are given an opportunity to share their story at the Finish in Hastings. Any Marcher can nominate an Honor Marker, they do not have to be a Veteran. They can make a nomination when they register. 

Our Sponsors

Thank you to all of our 2022 Sponsors & Donors!

 The Generals - Key Sponsors 
$500+ level 

MN Coaches Logo.jpg
Screen shot 2017-05-09 at 7.32.16 AM.png

Katy Lindberg

2212 logo9.jpg
Red-wing-shoes-logo.gif
General1Star.png
General1Star.png

2023 Sponsorship Opportunities coming soon!

 The Majors  $200+ level 

DSC00612.jpg

 The Spool House 

XcelLogo.jpg
AmericanLegionLogo.png

Leo C. Peterson
Post 54
Red Wing

 Joe & Beth Drexler 

 Major Sponsor
#5 Available 

 Major Sponsor
#6 Available 

Major.png
Major.png

 The Captains  $100+ level 

 Jen Dye 

IMG_9346.jpg

 Bookstore of
Hastings 

CCM Logo Vert.jpg

 Walter Busse 

 Kathy Baker 

 Janel Wright 

 Dean & Shirley
Markuson 

IMG_9680.jpg

 SC Toys - Hastings 

 Christine Bray 

Jerry Wright

Captain.png
Captain.png

Jenn Henderson

 The Lieutenants  $50+ level 

 Lynn Anderson 

 Ruth Stonesifer 

 Jenna King 

Kristofor Stonesifer

GoldStar.png
GoldStar.png

 Jessi Nowak 

 Ruth Markuson 

 Liz Markuson 

LTrank.png
LTrank.png
Our Volunteers

  Thank you to all of our great Volunteers! 

Screen Shot 2022-05-02 at 11.40.03 PM.png

Geoff Bruce
Route Support Lead
Navy Vet

IMG_1486.jpg

Kathy O'Connor
Marcher Care/Transport
CP 10 Host

IMG_5961.jpg

Kris Milliren
Finish Event Coordinator
Board Member & Treasurer

Our CheckPoint Hosts of the previous 28 mile route
who provided the great food and drinks along the way... 

IMG_1467.HEIC.heic
IMG_1472.HEIC.heic
CP19_katy.jpg

BreAnna, Martha Hanson
& Family   CP 4

Colin Bruce
CP 7

 

Katy & Andy Lindberg & Family   
CP Jon Lindberg 

IMG_9682.jpg

Hochmuth's & Bentjen's
CP 19

IMG_1487.HEIC.heic

Kathy O'Connor & Family
CP 10

IMG_1539.HEIC.heic

Shirley Markuson & Family
CP 22

IMG_1508.HEIC.heic

Cheryl & Tom Bullington
CP 13

IMG_1542.HEIC.heic

Melanie Baker & Family
CP 25

Board of Directors

Laura Slusarczyk - Board Chair

Sarah Hemmelgarn - Secretary

Kris Milliren - Treasurer

Jessie Nowak - Member

Elizabeth Markuson - Member

Patrick O'Connor - Member

Tom Wright - Executive Director

61091630_10220378946443576_8096425244618653696_n.jpg
IMG-9856 (1).jpg
61462605_10214075608753334_8790232642411823104_n.jpg

MN Coaches/Hastings Bus Company - Mike Karlen, Mike Paul & Mike

TwinCitiesToilets.com - Danny Schlomka

Graphic Designer for Flyers - Max Slocum, Imaginative Hobbyist

City of Hastings Parks & Rec - Paige Marschall Bigler

Hastings Police Dept.

The Hastings Journal - Bruce Karnick and Brooke Shepherd

Hastings Star Gazette - Charlie Swanson

KDWA - Mo McNeary, Mike Ruud, Dan Massman

St. Paul Pioneer Press & Fox 9

Hastings American Legion

Mayor Mary Fasbender - Speaker

Pastor Jim Bzofskie - Speaker

Other great supporters of the 2022 March...

 

 

272368481_392705862725899_3886603912679821008_n.jpg
9bc0327e4dbe83b43a55c50bb9b8edde.jpg
Homepage_Slider_American_Legion_Outdoor_Sign_Hastings_MN_3-24-2022.jpg
97772686_115647013479403_2625727543445028864_n.png
Screen Shot 2017-05-26 at 6.42.24 PM.png
StarGazetteLogo.png
To Donate Or Sponsor
IMG_0781.JPG

 Thank you for your support! 

What is the money for?

 

All donations and sponsorships go towards supporting the event and its growth. The more we can raise, the larger the event can be in 2024. This includes the new pre-registration dinner, the tshirts, marketing and signage, supplies for the Honor Markers, plus any other supplies to support the march that we are unable to get donated. Your support allows us to keep the cost free for Veterans. 

We are a non-profit

 Memorial Day March For Them is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation with a federal 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.  All donations made to MDMFT are tax deductible. 

To Register
IMG_9862.heic

Registration opens April 1st,
and this is the spot to do so!

Meanwhile, follow us on Facebook for
updates on 2023.

4YouGetThisCoolShirt.png

Remember:
New route, only 10 miles now!
I
t's free to walk if you're a Vet.
You don't have to be a Vet to walk.
You get a cool t-shirt
!
It's an easy 3 mph pace.. 
..with breaks every hour that provide food & drinks..
..and if you don't make it, that's ok, we have a ride. 

Screen Shot 2022-05-04 at 5.50.26 PM.png
Screen Shot 2022-05-04 at 5.50.04 PM.png


Your first time? Please read The March page to get an idea of how the day will go.

The Finish In Hastings

  Help send us off on May 29th!
Public Program hosted by the Hastings American Legion   
Time and other details will be announced by April 1st
 

IMG_6146.HEIC.heic
57536215_2235932866463286_6868529781575516160_n.jpg
IMG_6150.HEIC.heic
IMG_1583.HEIC.heic