Veterans monument erected at Moondance Jam site

by Dean Morrill, Editor
The Pilot-Independent

Tuesday, July 11th, 2006

"Thank our veterans for the freedom to rock and roll" are the words engraved on the Welcome to Moondance Jam monument that was erected last week to honor servicemembers for serving their country.

The monument, donated by Bill and Kathy Bieloh along with two granite benches, is located near the main entrance to Moondance Fairgrounds. The display also includes a flagpole.
During the four days of Moondance 15, jammers can have their name engraved on the monument.

Free Bird Monuments of Kimball, Minn., the monument and engraving company, will donate a portion of the money raised to Minnesota veterans and their families, including widows of service members killed in Iraq. To date, 40 Minnesota servicemembers have been killed in Iraqi Freedom.

It will also provide colors for funerals and school functions, help out with financial assistance to the public when needed and help sponsor community events.

In addition to the message, the monument includes an engraved U.S. flag, a soaring bald eagle, two riding balloons with POW/MIA logos and a picture taken a few years back of a rainbow over the Moondance Jam main stage.

The other side reads "Welcome to Moondance Jam" and includes a color map of the fairgrounds and campgrounds.

Engraving costs are $40 for honoring an active duty family member, $50 for your name and in memory of loved one, $250 for a veteran's organization and $500 for a business with their logo.

Jammers can also show their support by buying a POW/MIA 12-by-12 inch granite plaque for $100. Custom lettering can be added to personalize the plaque, including Legions, VFWs, organizations and personal gifts.

Ron Dietman, the owner of Free Bird Monuments, will be at the Jam to do all the engraving.

Brochures with engraving costs, order forms and other information will be available during Jam 15.

Also available are service branch logos for Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard.

The Jam lineup
Moondance Jam Dream 15 begins Wednesday with Black Valentine, Little River Band, The Guess Who, Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX and the Steve Miller Band performing on the main stage.

Thursday night's lineup includes Mountain Ash, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Santana's Gregg Rolie, Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper.
Mark Anthony's Storm Project kicks off Friday followed by the Outlaws, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Bangles and Poison. Poison, the 1980s rock icons, is replacing the New Cars.

The New Cars were forced to cancel their performance because of an injury to founding member Elliot Easton.

Saturday includes T. Albert Lloyd & the Kingpins, Y&T, John Kay and Steppenwolf, Doobie Brothers and Heart.

Tickets and camping Phone and online ticket sales have ended. Four-day passes, VIP tickets and general camping is available at the gate.

New this year at the Jam a Mardi Gras parade will be held all four nights in the Mardi Gras tent after after the 7 p.m. main stage band finishes their set.
Hairball, a 1980s rock cover band, and ThundHerStruck, an all-girl AC/DC band, will close out the saloon stage every night.