Slayton American Legion Commander Brad Pagel addressed the Slayton City Council on Monday, asking for financial help in bringing the “Remember Our Fallen” Tribute to Slayton during the Murray County Fair in August 2026.
The Legion has booked the travelling tribute and fundraising for the project is going well, Pagel said. He is approximately half way to his goal of $30,000, which will cover the cost of the tribute and other expenses that include hotel for the driver, advertising, signage and more.
The Remember Our Fallen Tribute is made up of 34 towers containing 5,500 names and pictures of fallen service members from the global war on terror since 9/11. It was booked with the intention of celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States, but Pagel said the Legion members also realized September 2026 will also be the 25th anniversary of 9/11. When the tribute leaves Slayton it will head to New York for the anniversary, then be retired.
While the city council did not make a decision regarding funding on Monday, they did commend Pagel for his work with the Slayton American Legion Post.
City Administrator Josh Malchow told Pagel he has done tremendous things with the Legion, re-energizing the organization over the last decade.
Malchow let the council know he and a Wonder World board member would be visiting with the Senate Bonding Committee on Tuesday regarding Wonder World funding, and would also be present for the Murray County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday regarding Wonder World funding.
The council discussed a request for satisfaction on a Slayton Housing Rehabilitation loan that was issued in 1981 for $6,297. Malchow said he has come across these old funding documents twice before, but there doesn’t seem to be any documentation other than the loan document explaining where the funding mechanism came from. Council member Blake Heronimus pointed out that the house – and the work done to it in 1981 – no longer exists. The council opted to table the discussion to see if more documentation could be located, along with anything that explains the original spirit behind the housing rehab loan.
In other action, the council approved the purchase of a budgeted 2026 Bobcat Broom, accepted the resignation of Slayton Police Officer Johnathon Reim and called for a public hearing for the 2026 Fee Schedule Ordinance update.
They also certified the Delinquent Utility/Services tax list, which several members commented was the shortest list they can remember seeing in recent years.
Malchow reminded the council members of a virtual meeting Tuesday afternoon regarding the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the pending purchase of Xcel Energy. There is an in-person meeting at the MCC Auditorium at 5 p.m. December 10. The public is encouraged to attend and add their comments.
