Blaine Halvorson Memorial Family Fun Day is May 17

Gold Star U.S. Marine and 2012 Kasson-Mantorville graduate Blaine Halvorson served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years, reaching the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Having wanted to serve from a young age, he planned on being a career Marine.
Halvorson was a combat engineer who served in North and South Carolina, California and Japan. He was also honored to have been chosen to be a Marine Security Guard, protecting U.S. embassies in Niger, Africa and Chengdu, China. His exemplary service was recognized when he was asked to return to Quantico, Va., as an instructor for other Marine Security Guards.
After returning from a short leave, Blaine experienced a flat on his fifth-wheel travel trailer. While changing the tire he heard a crash and realized that a semi was going to strike him. He pushed his wife to safety, and she survived. He died Sept. 12, 2021, and was laid to rest on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.
The 5th annual Family Fun Day, in honor of Halvorson, will be held at the Kasson Fire Hall at 101 E Main St., beginning at 11 a.m. on May 17. The Stewartville Honor Guard will kick off opening ceremonies at 11:15 a.m., with a bean bag tournament following at noon.
Music, food, silent auction and family activities will be provided. All proceeds go to the Blaine M Halvorson Memorial, a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
The memorial was created in 2022 with a goal to raise $25,000 for Rochester Area Foundation and create a yearly scholarship in Halvorson’s name for Kasson-Mantorville High School seniors. By June of that year, the organization had raised more than the goal amount, nearly $100,000, according to the memorial president and Halvorson family friend, Roberta Pogalz.
“It’s a great day to honor Blaine and help our veterans,” said Pogalz.
Along with Pogalz, the memorial board of directors includes Halvorson’s parents, Jerry and Melissa; his sister Mickaela Quimby and his cousin Jeremy Halvorson.
In August 2024, the memorial started the Warming the Hearts of our Heroes — One Furnace at a Time initiative. To date, the program has paid for four furnaces for veterans in need by partnering with Preferred Heating, Cooling and Plumbing LLC in Kasson to volunteer installation.
“We can do so much more to help veterans, so we formed the Blaine Halvorson Memorial,” said Pogalz.
For more information on the Blaine Halvorson Memorial go to BMHmemorial.org.
HalvorsonMemorial provided by Charlotte Wiskow of Fallen Hero Portraits in Dodge Center.
Charlotte Wiskow of Fallen Hero Portraits in Dodge Center painted this portrait of Gold Star U.S. Marine and 2012 Kasson-Mantorville graduate, Blaine Halvorson. “Gold Star parents Jerry and Melissa Halvorson came to my studio to pick up Blaine’s portrait, and it was a delight to meet them. During our visit we saw their deep love and appreciation for having had Blaine as their son,” said Wiskow on her website https://fallenheroportraits.com.