Eden Prairie is putting out a call to honor its own this Memorial Day, focusing attention on veterans with deep roots in the community. According to a statement obtained by the City of Eden Prairie, nominations are now open for community members to put forward the names of honorably discharged vets, or active-duty military folk for a special nod during the May event slated to take place in Purgatory Creek Park. The town's looking for heroes with an Eden Prairie connection, ideally those who've served with distinction.

The process is simple: Hit up the city's website, and enter your local legend in the running by May 3. The qualifications are clear, nominees should be honorably discharged United States veterans, or active-duty military personnel in good standing – and of course, they should have a connection to Eden Prairie. With the clock ticking down, Eden Prairie's veterans and military personnel are in the spotlight, and it's up to residents to ensure their stories are shared on this day of remembrance.

Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many for the freedoms enjoyed today. Eden Prairie makes a point each year to pay tribute not with just a fleeting moment of silence, but with a ceremony that gives space to the personal histories and valor of its servicemen and -women. It's a day that seeks to bind wounds, to remember not just the fallen, but also those who returned, forever changed by their experiences.

There's no shortage of heroism among the city's ranks, and this Memorial Day event, an established tradition in the community, assures that these stories of service and sacrifice are front and center. It's more than just a civic duty; it’s a collective act of gratitude, one where the true price of peace and liberty gets its due recognition. The tales of valor among Eden Prairie's finest are not just footnotes of history, but a testament to the enduring spirit of service and dedication that characterize this community, and the nation.