2019 Keynote Speaker & Marcher
Jill Stephenson
Gold Star Mother - CPL Ben Kopp
KIA 7-19-09
Memorial Day March For Them
Hastings, MN
Mission Complete for 2023..
73 Marchers and $9,895 raised!!
Want to join us next year?
Mark your calendar - Registration Opens April 1st, 2024
Yes, you can still donate!
Thanks again to our Key Sponsors!
Katy Lindberg
Hastings, MN
Want news & updates for the March?
Follow us year round on
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. Our new route is the scenic 10 mile River Trail Loop of Hastings, MN. Along the route we'll have Honor Markers that feature our fallen comrades, or family or friends that made the ultimate sacrifice. The markers are placed to honor them and to remind all of us who we're walking for.
Yes, you can do it!
We walk at a 3mph pace and will have two stops for a 10-15 min break each time. At each stop, aka Check Point, we are greeted by awesome volunteers with great food and beverages. We do walk as a group. This is not a race of any kind.
Help Us Grow, Join Us!
We had the most walkers last year at 24. We'd love to see many more in 2023 with the new, much shorter 10 mile route. It is FREE for Veterans and again, anyone can walk. You don't have to be a Veteran and registration is only $25 for non-Veteran participants. That $25 includes a stylin t-shirt for your collection.
Kids can walk too! If you have a child under 18 they can walk so long as you are with them. Children 12 and under are free but they do not get a t-shirt unless a paid $25 registration is done for them. We ask for kids who are 13+ that you do register and pay the $25 fee, which again includes a t-shirt.
Need more details?
No problem. More details on the March including tips on preparation, a suggested packing list, a map of the route and more can be found here.
Thank You!
Whether you walk, donate, sponsor or attend the Finish in Hastings we appreciate any involvement. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Want to see more?
Here are a few Kodak moments from past Marches...
.jpg)
We March For Them..
Below are men and women from all branches of service, from all over the country, who made the ultimate sacrifice. Many were killed in action while serving in conflicts ranging from World War II to Vietnam to our operations in the Middle East post 9-11. Not all of them were KIA. There's men and women below who were killed in tragic accidents or took their own lives as a result of PTSD. We honor them all on Memorial Day.
Each one has been nominated by a walker who either served with them or has close ties. You must walk in order to nominate someone. You can make your nomination when you register to walk here. You would then be invited to share your nomination's story at the public program at the Finish. It's not mandatory to do so but it's highly encouraged.
2023 Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!
The Generals - Key Sponsors
$500+ level
Katy Lindberg
Hastings, MN
The Majors $200+ level
The Spool House
Dolores Pemble
The Captains $100+ level
Jessica Edwards
Kathy Baker
SC Toys
Barb Hollenbeck
Jen Dye
Jerry Wright
Chad Pickering
Klebear Northrup
The Lieutenants $50+ level
Tyler Hoeffner
Stay Tuned - Any Volunteer Opportunities Will Be Posted Here!
We'll surely have some new roles with the new route, but this
group deserves another nod for their years of service!
Geoff Bruce
Route Support Lead
Navy Vet
Kathy O'Connor
Marcher Care/Transport
CP 10 Host
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...
BreAnna, Martha Hanson
& Family CP 4
Colin Bruce
CP 7
Hochmuth's & Bentjen's
CP 19
Katy & Andy Lindberg & Family
CP Jon Lindberg
Kathy O'Connor & Family
CP 10
Shirley Markuson & Family
CP 22
Cheryl & Tom Bullington
CP 13
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
.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...
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.
Why you should do this...
New route, only 10 miles now!
It's FREE to walk if you're a Vet
It's only $25 if you're not
Either way you get this cool t-shirt
Kids 12 and under are free - it's not free babysitting though, you have to join them :)
If you want a shirt for the kid you must register them and pay the $25
Veterans Dinner is free for Vets,
only $20 for your plus 1
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.
**This is a rain or shine event - sorry, no refunds
Get this T-shirt!
Your first time? Please read The March page to get an idea of how the day will go.
Join us at the Finish on May 29th!
Welcome the walkers back at a public program
hosted by the Hastings American Legion
Hear Marchers share stories of whom we walk for
Book it! May 29th 11am at the Hastings Rotary Pavilion in Levee Park
