Maj. Mike Pazdernik challenged an audience of high school students and veterans on Monday to take time and dedicate themselves to living a life worthy of veterans' sacrifices.
Pazdernik was in command of the 1st Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment based in Wadena. He returned to Wadena on Monday to speak to high school students and veterans in the high school gym.
He said he remembers the gym well because of the ceremony after his group returned from Iraq.
"I'll never forget coming down the road to all the people who were standing in the street," he said. "And I'll never forget walking through those doors to all those people waiting to welcome us home."
Pazdernik praised people in Wadena for the overwhelming support for the military. He also praised the younger generation.
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"Today, when our young men and women join the military, they know, with almost certainty that they will be deployed," he said. "But they still join. Because they want to serve something greater than themselves, they want to serve their country in a time of need."
He told the high school students they were becoming the next great generation.
"You have the freedom to do anything you want," Pazdernik said.
He challenged the audience to take time to honor the veterans on that day but not to stop there. Also, people should take time to dedicate themselves to living a life that is worthy of their sacrifices, he said.
Pazdernik served in the active duty Army from 1996-2001, then went to work with the Minnesota National Guard in 2001. Today, he's the Officer in Charge for the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, headquartered in Brainerd. He's a native of Alexandria, and lives now in Baxter.
The program began with a presentation of colors by the Wadena VFW, American Legion and National Guard members. WDC School Board Chairwoman Judy Taves provided a welcome at the ceremony and presented the speakers. The WDC high school choirs sang the national anthem and an armed forces salute, and trumpet players from the band played "Taps." Several students also spoke at the ceremony: Wadena Legion boys and girls winners Mason Lynk and Jackie Kramer, and Voice of Democracy contestants Brittany Umland and Cassandra Popp.
