Remembering the families of those who gave all

Any military service member that loses their life while serving their country posthumously receives a purple heart, the hole they leave in their family isn’t forgotten as their family also receives an honor, a Gold Star, for their sacrifice.
One local Gold Star family, Dave and Kay Swenson, lost their son, Curtis, when he was killed in action on April 2, 2010.
Recently, the couple partnered with the Herschel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Founda- tion to establish a Gold Star Families Memorial in Mantorville.

“People will go ‘Why Mantorville, you’re from Rochester?’ For us, we ride with a group called Tribute to the Troops and one of the founding gentlemen is a recording artist. He has an album called Songs for Soldiers and one of his songs is heroes come from small towns and so that’s kind of how we explain it. It’s not specific to Rochester and this memorial is a

stand-alone so we feel that it represents a community and an area as a whole,” said Kay Swenson.
Dave Swenson added,“I think this would really complement a small town like that. It’s a beautiful spot (on the south side cor- ner of the Dodge County Courthouse) and once we saw it, we’re like ‘This is a perfect fit.” 
 
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