Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. For our veterans and active service members at Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), Memorial Day holds an even deeper, more personal meaning. It is a time to remember those who are gone, their families, a time to reflect on their own service, and to share the unique perspectives that only those who have served can truly understand.  

Employee Stories 

We reached out to our MNIT veterans and service members to hear their stories and reflections on this poignant day. Here are their heartfelt responses.  

"Memorial Day is an opportunity to honor those who have served and continue to serve our nation."

Jesse Arganbright, MNIT Security Engineer, Army, Specialist - Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Crewmember 

“Stand strong and proud, veterans. We are united and will always be brothers and sisters in arms.”

Michael Baumhofer, Service Desk Analyst at MNIT, Army, Private First Class <E-3> Aircraft Armament Mechanic

"On this Memorial Day, we honor and mourn my brothers and sisters across all of the military branches who made the ultimate sacrifice. These brave men and women believed in serving something greater than themselves. Join me in standing up proud and give thanks to these Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen. I salute you, always."

Brock Bowman, MNIT IT Project Manager, Air Force, Master Sergeant 

"Memorial Day to me is a day of remembrance for the fallen heroes and sacrifices made by all those who served in the past or are actively serving.

I take time to remember and honor my family members who served. I take a moment to remember my grandfather (World War 1 – Army) and my father (Vietnam – Navy). I take time to reflect on my own time in the Navy (Desert Storm) and I reach out to my niece and nephew who served in Afghanistan (Airforce). They are both still serving but are currently stationed stateside. 

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages Americans to pause and reflect on Memorial Day. It is a reminder for people across the nation to take a one-minute moment of silence to honor those who have died in military service to the United States."

Jerry Bragg, MNIT Information Technology Specialist 5, Navy, ABH3 Petty Officer

"Memorial Day means to me honoring and remembering my brothers and sisters we lost in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, also the ones we lost back home dealing with the toll of these conflicts suffering from PTSD. I am thankful I was able to make it home to my family but always remember and honor the ones that didn't."

Ryan Johnson, MNIT Virtual Operations Administrator, Army, Sergeant 25U Signal Support Systems Specialist

"I would like to thank my teammates at MNIT for carrying my load at home while I deployed to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia as a reservist. We cannot do what we do without the support we get from our colleagues and from our leadership."

Tim Jurgens, MNIT Systems Analysis Unit Supervisor, Marines and Navy Reserves, O4 Lieutenant Commander 

"I'm grateful for the sacrifices made by generations of military members to preserve our American values and way of life. I'm also deeply honored to share in their legacy of service."

Duane Linn, MNIT Systems Analyst Unit Supervisor, Air Force/Air National Guard, Lt Col, OIC of SGA, 133rd Medical Group (MDG)

"Memorial Day is a day to remember the proud Americans who gave everything to provide us with the freedoms we all enjoy. Honor their sacrifice by being the best American you can be and cherish every minute with friends and family. You never know what tomorrow will bring."

Jeremy Meyer, MNIT Desktop Advance Support, Navy, E7 - Chief Fire Controlman - FCC(SW/AW)

"Memorial Day holds deep significance for me as a veteran, especially because of our family tradition. Every year over Memorial weekend and the following weekdays, my family and I stay at a veteran’s campground nearby. Both of my brothers currently serve in the armed forces, and as we all near our retirement from service, this tradition becomes even more meaningful. It's wonderful to have something that keeps us so connected after all these years. 

Our time at the campground is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our fellow service members, and it's a chance to honor and remember them together. It's a time for reflection on the bravery, commitment, and selflessness of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This tradition not only honors their memory but also strengthens the bond between me and my brothers, forged through shared experiences and a lifetime of service. 

It's a reminder of the cost of freedom and an opportunity to express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy today because of the sacrifices of others."

Andrew Reed, MNIT IT Operations Manager, Army, Master Sergeant, Electronic Warfare Specialist & Cyber Incident Responder

"Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all military families."

Michael Stapleton, MNIT Database Administrator, Army National Guard, Specialist, E-4. Fire Direction Specialist for 8-inch artillery 

"As a Marine Corps veteran, I believe Memorial Day is a day to pause and remember the courage and sacrifice of those who never returned home. It's a day to honor their memory and carry forward their legacy of service and dedication to country. It reinforces my commitment to be a good citizen and to be a good steward for future generations.”

Bradley Traynor, MNIT Information Technology Specialist 3, Marines, Corporal Information Systems Support Specialist 

Our deepest gratitude to MNIT veterans and service members, and to the families who honor those they’ve lost, for your service to the community.