We commend the local, state and federal entities who are working together to bring home the remains of an Emmons native who was killed aboard the USS Oklahoma in the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II.

Gladyon Iverson’s remains had been unidentified until March, when many entities began planning to bring him home to his final resting place.

His remains are slated to arrive midday Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with a U.S. Navy escort, where he will receive planeside military honors. The Minnesota State Patrol, American Legion Riders, Patriot Riders and Patriot Guard members will then transport him to the Freeborn County line, where he will be joined by members of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement.

A procession will then go down Bridge Avenue, around Fountain Lake and up Broadway Avenue to the Albert Lea American Legion, where veterans organizations will pay their respects to Iverson. The procession then continues south on Broadway, west on Main Street and then south on U.S. Highway 69 to Lake Mills. Once the procession reaches Iowa, members of the Iowa State Patrol, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Mills Police Department will join.

We encourage community members to come out in large numbers for this procession to pay their respects to Iverson, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It will also be a time to reflect on the nation’s principles and freedoms, particularly as we head into Memorial Day weekend.