The public is invited to the public dedication and unveiling of the Marine Corps painting, the fourth of five 8 X 10 ft paintings, which will join three previously completed ones, Army (2011), Navy (2014) and Coast Guard (2016).Veterans and active duty military serve as models, and this painting also includes a small portion of soil brought back from Mt. Suribachi, where the iconic Raising the Flag photo on Iwo Jima was taken. The artist used the small portion of soil to grind in with paint as part of the depiction of the 1945 Marine Corps flag-raising there in 1945.

The dedication and ceremony program includes Veterans and active duty personnel, dignitaries, Marine Corps re-enactors, and the artist. Refreshments will follow the formal program. Attendees currently include Brigadier General Lowell Kruse, Camp Ripley; David P. Swantek, Senior Administrator of Memorial Affairs (MDVA); Erik B. Sogge, Cemetery Administrator (MDVA); Veterans and active duty personnel depicted in painting: Roy T. Edwards Col. USMC (Ret.); Holly Zabinski, Major USMC; Cory Engen, Sgt. USMC (Ret.); Quintin Sam, Sgt. USMC (Ret.); Charles Gilbert Kapsner, Artist; Greg Zylka, Mayor of Little Falls; Military Honor Guard: Valhalla Detachment, Marine Corps League, St. Cloud

LOCATION: Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Committal Hall, 15550 Hwy 115, Little Falls, MN

For additional information please contact:

Bill Osberg, U.S. Navy Veteran (320) 360-1993
williamosberg0@gmail.com

Phil Ringstrom, CDR, USNR, retired (320) 247-2416
phil.ringstrom@gmail.com