5 Medal of Honor recipients to visit MN for memorial dedication, river cruise

Five Medal of Honor recipients from around the country will join Minnesota military groups at the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial dedication at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, the memorial’s committee says.

According to the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial Committee, there are 65 living recipients of the nation’s highest military decoration, and historically, 72 Minnesotans have been recognized with the honor.

The five set to attend – Thomas Kelley, James Sprayberry, Robert Patterson, Leroy Petry and Michael Fitzmaurice – will be joined by descendants of Minnesota Medal of Honor recipients, as well as current and former presidents of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The dedication will take place in front of the Veterans Service Building at the State Capitol Mall.

Members of the public can attend for free with no RSVP required.

The committee says people can park on nearby streets and in ramps. There is expected to be limited seating, so attendees should prepare to stand if they are able.

For those looking to interact with the five Medal of Honor recipients, a St. Croix River dinner cruise is planned for the night of the Sept. 22. People must register in advance for the river cruise and only 150 tickets are available. Register here.