Photo by Griffin Peterson Staff Sgt. Jaden Hoffman delivers his speech during the Cottonwood memorial day program to honor those who have fallen and reflect on his experiences in the military.

COTTONWOOD — Dozens of residents sat at the Cottonwood community center at 9:30 a.m., some were dressed in formal clothing, others in military uniforms. One wore a shirt with the back reading “Remembering all who gave some and some who gave all.”

All were there for the Memorial Day program to remember the veterans who lost their lives at home and abroad.

The service began with the National Anthem and the honor guard bringing up the American flag as everyone watched. Then, Rick Jeserite introduced Steve Ulm, thanking him for his 30 years of service and his notable work on the statue in legion park to honor the veterans. Ulm delivered the invocation, remembering the fallen and reminding those why Memorial Day exists and what it serves to accomplish.

National Guard Staff Sgt. Jaden Hoffman, a Cottonwood native, was the guest speaker. He currently serves as a howitzer section chief in A BTRY 1-151 Field Artillery Regiment out of Marshall. Hoffman’s work notably includes security during the Superbowl LII in 2018 in Minnesota, work responding to civil unrest in 2020 and 2021. Most recently, Hoffman deployed in Iraq and Kuwait in 2025, returning this February.

Hoffman spoke of recent deaths in the military and how they affect him and his thinking about service. He mentioned Sarah Beckstrom, who died at 20 years old to a gunman in Washington D.C. while activated on a patrol for civil unrest. Hoffman connected to his work dealing with civil unrest in 2020. How he felt “young and invincible” how that must have been how Beckstrom felt. Then suddenly she wasn’t.

“Danger does not care where you’re standing.” Hoffman said. “Whether service members are deployed halfway around the world or standing watch here at home, they’re still accepting risks on behalf of others.”

Hoffman also talked about his grandpa, Gerald Hoffman, who served during the Korean war. He notes his grandpa didn’t talk about his experiences in the war much, except one time Hoffman’s sister interviewed his grandpa for a school project. Hoffman remembers his grandpa needing many times to pause while just sharing his experiences. The memories are still lingering and needing time to even process. While his grandpa didn’t die while actively serving, the memories of war haunted him long after he completed his service.

“Many veterans, like my grandparents, have been asked to go home from unspeakable things, and too many never came home.” Hoffman said.

After Hoffman’s speech, Nashville recording artist Kayla Daniels, sang “Proud to be an American.” Daniels currently resides in Tracy and performs across southwest Minnesota.

Next, Former Lyon County Sheriff Joel Dahl gave the salute to fallen comrades: reading of the Honor Roll. A list of names of fallen veterans who died in the line of duty across all the major American wars, from the Mexican war to the war in Iraq.

The service concluded with everyone going outside to the Veterans Memorial Park, where the honor guard shot their rifles in the air and a bugle performing the final notes of the day.

“Memorial Day is more than the heat of summer, it’s more than cookouts, vacations, and long weekends. “Hoffman said. “Today, set aside to remember American service members who we have everything for.”