If you stayed at the Veterans Memorial for a bit after the parade in Hastings Monday, you could have listened to a small group singing patriotic songs like America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee or Yankee Doodle Dandy. Sisters Faith Byykkonen and Kaylin Rhodes just decided one day they would sing all patriotic songs at the Memorial Day Parade in Hastings and with a few family members, that’s what they do, Shawn Rhodes said.

 

“They’ve been doing it for the last three, four years…We wouldn’t mind making it a community thing. Everyone likes to sing,” he said. As he spoke, a woman who had been watching the small group walked over and joined them to sing along.

 

Those interested can find them on Facebook, he said.

 

 

(left)The Byykkonen and Rhodes families sing America the Beautiful at the Veterans Memorial after the Memorial Day Parade.