Bessemer honors fallen veterans

By CHARITY SMITH

csmith@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — A good-sized crowd gathered Monday morning at the veteran’s memorial in Bessemer’s Hillcrest Cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

The annual Memorial Day service was led by the Bessemer VFW Post 3673 and the American Legion Post 27.

The service began with the raising of the American flag as the A.D. Johnston High school band, under the direction of Josh Kepich, played the national anthem. An invocation was given by Father Dominic Agyapong, of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Glen R. Peterson, of Marenisco, addressed the audience. A native of Escanaba, Peterson served during the Vietnam War as a scout dog handler and a combat medic. He and his specially trained dog accompanied soldiers on patrol, as the dog’s keen senses would protect the soldiers. Peterson also flew on numerous combat missions to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield. He was awarded several medals for his service including the Bronze Star. Following his service, Peterson became a trial lawyer. He has practiced law for the last 45 years.

Peterson said no one has ever asked him about what happened during his service in Vietnam and he doesn’t speak about it.

“I will tell you this much about your sons and some of your daughters (who fought in Vietnam), I saw uncommon valor everywhere I went with our unit in Vietnam,” Peterson said.

Following Peterson’s speech, Donna Frello, commander of the Bessemer VFW, and Charlie Tirpik, commander of the Bessemer American Legion, placed a wreath in front of the memorial, followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps” with echo by buglers Myron and Marcus Re. Myron began the song and his son echoed the strains from a distance. The band then performed “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and Father Agyapong gave a benediction.

John Frello, VFW Post quartermaster and Gogebic County Veterans Services officer, offered some closing remarks, thanking those who helped with the service.

“The men and women that we honor here today all served our country. Many fought for our country in foreign lands, where many also died for our country,” said Frello. “Regardless of when, they protected our rights under the Constitution, making the American way of life possible for us. It seems all too often now that individuals use those freedoms, those same freedoms that many have sacrificed for evil.”

Frello went on to speak of the recent shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers. He said that people can never forget what Memorial Day is all about, but can pray that one day that evil will not exist and there will truly be peace on earth.