Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
American Legion Auxiliary member Ashley Dennis is escorted by American Legion/USMC member Gary Kusz, in placing the Operation Enduring Freedom wreath during the Memorial Day service Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood. Other Auxiliary members and escorts placed wreaths to honor fallen service members from World War I through the present in addition to a Gold Star Mothers wreath. At right is Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Commander Mary Ann Bolich.
By TOM LAVENTURE
Ironwood - The skies were bright and sunny for the Ironwood Memorial Day services that included a parade and ceremonies at the Veterans monument at Historic Depot Park and at Riverside Cemetery.
The event included veterans, auxiliary and other support from American Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 5.
"On this solemn occasion we are here to honor our veterans and veterans who have paid the ultimate price," said Mary Ann Bolich, commander of the Post 5 American Legion and a Marine Corps veteran, who served as master of ceremonies.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Manki was the featured speaker. He said that war never seems to go away and it is America's armed forces who maintain the readiness to defend our freedom.
"This Memorial Day we display Old Glory, right up there," Manki said. "We visit cemeteries and listen to speeches honoring the fallen and their service to our nation. We do this to remind ourselves that our legacy of freedom was paid for with the commitment and lives of the men and women of our armed forces."
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary and their escorts placed wreaths in honor of the fallen in several wars and conflicts. There was also a wreath for Gold Star Mothers. John Rundquist, Dale Tortenberg and Gary Kusz, provided a battlefield salute for those lost during the War in Vietnam.
Mayor Annette Burchell led the Memorial Chorus in several spiritual and patriotic songs. She also delivered an address about Memorial Day as a time to think about what is truly important - especially coming out of a pandemic where gatherings that once were taken for granted were suddenly not possible.
"This year we are so very grateful for this chance to safely gather again together to honor and remember our fallen, courageous heroes - the one million servicemen and women from all generations and from all wars who lost their lives while defending our democratic ideals and liberties," Burchell said.
Ironwood Area Schools provided support for the parade and ceremony with the full marching band and a color guard from the school's Junior ROTC program.
The invocation was delivered by Deacon Christian Flagstad who was with the Rev. Binu Joseph from Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.
The benediction was delivered by the Rev. Jean Rencontre of Wesley United Methodist Church.
