Hagen and Picolet remembered and honored in Memorial Program

Written by Grygla Eagle Newspaper

A Palliative Care Memorial Program was held on May 17th, 2019, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Fargo, ND. The program remembers and honors their Palliative and Hospice Care Patients, which included Otto Hagen and Bernie Picolet. It included over 60 veterans who had passed away in the last six months. 

Hagen served in the United States Army from 1941-1945; Picolet served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956. 

The Memorial Program included gathering music, Presentation of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, Armed Forces Medley, Reflections on Hospice and Palliative Care and Four Candles, which is a lighting ceremony of four candles to symbolize four important parts of one’s experience with loss. 

A description from the program states: The First Candle represents our grief, the intense pain of losing someone we love. It reminds us of the depth of love and the commitment that was shared. The Second Candle represents our courage to confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, and to make changes in our lives. For truly we know and truly we understand that it takes courage to survive and live on. The Third Candle represents our memories: the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we may have been angry with each other, the silly things they did, and the joy that they have given us. The Fourth Candle represents love. As we remember our loved ones this Memorial Day, we cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for them. We feel thanks for the gift of their life to ours, and we continue to say, “I love you.”

The Fargo VA Choir sang God Bless America at the Memorial Program and an honorary slide show was presented to remember the heroes who have passed. The Benediction and TAPS were followed by the Retiring of the Flags.

The following poem was taken from the Memorial Program.

“The Chosen One”

He stood stately at the staircase that leads to Heaven’s gate

To greet every fallen soldier that has met upon their fate

Defending this great country and all that we believe

It is his honor and his duty to guide each one he receives

He stands and never waivers with his rifle by his side to welcome them inside

He addresses all their questions and comforts all their fears

Then marches them right over to the beginning of the stairs

And as they start ascending and much to their surprise

He turns and smiles back at them with a sparkle in his eye

“You see your job is not over it has only just begun

Someone must protect the heavens and you are the CHOSEN ONES”

Otto Hagen was born May 22, 1917, and passed away on December 25, 2018. In October of 1941, he entered the United States Army serving his country during WWII in the British West Indies, France and Germany. After an honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to his family farm.

Bernard Picolet was born September 8, 1933, and passed away on March 11, 2019. Bernie served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956. He was stationed in Korea and served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and later served in the Army Reserve from 1976-1978. 

May their memory be forever blessed.