Memorial Day 2026: A Community United in Remembrance
By Amanda Batchko, Public Affairs Specialist/Outreach Coordinator
On a perfect spring morning, the Tomah VA Medical Center brought together Veterans, families, and community members for a stirring Memorial Day ceremony — uniting under sunny skies to honor the courageous service members whose sacrifices continue to shape the nation’s story.
This year’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Tomah VA Medical Center couldn’t have started under better conditions. The morning of May 22, 2026, greeted us with beautiful weather — sunny, calm, and sitting comfortably at about 75 degrees. The grounds looked incredible, decorated with red, white, and blue flowers that really brought the patriotic spirit to life. Before the ceremony even began, the Tomah High School Band set the tone with their prelude of patriotic music, creating such a meaningful atmosphere for everyone who gathered.
Dr. Bryan Prahl, the Associate Director of the Tomah VA Medical Center and the Master of Ceremonies for the day, welcomed guests and opened the ceremony with heartfelt remarks that reminded us why we were all there: to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
From there, the Tomah High School JROTC posted the colors with their usual precision. Ms. Mary Gutherie sang a beautiful National Anthem, followed by Dr. Prahl leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and then Chaplain Garin Forsberg offered an invocation that invited all of us into a moment of reflection.
Afterward, Dr. Prahl introduced Tomah VA Medical Center Executive Director Karen Long, who shared a warm welcome message with attendees. The Tomah High School Band then returned to perform the Armed Forces Medley — and, as always, hearing each branch recognized brought out a sense of pride across the audience.
We were honored to hear from our keynote speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Chad Holder, Deputy Garrison Commander for U.S. Army Garrison–Fort McCoy. His message was thoughtful, grounded in his own experience, and a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many service members and their families.
To close out the event, Chaplain Forsberg offered the Benediction, followed by Military Honors from Tomah VFW Post 1382. The moment of Taps, played by Tomah High School Band member Caleb Renaud, was especially moving. The JROTC retired the colors, and the high school band concluded our ceremony with postlude music that carried across the warm, sunny morning.
It was a truly meaningful Memorial Day — a day filled with music, reflection, honor, and community. And of course, many of us wrapped up the morning enjoying Culver’s custard together under the tent, sharing stories and remembering why this ceremony matters so much to all of us.