Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
AS A CROWD watches from the left, members of Marty's Goldenaires play at Wednesday evening's Tree of Honor ceremony in Bessemer. Standing to the right is emcee George Boline. In between the musicians and Boline is the 2022 Tree of Honor sign, draped in a patriotic cloth. It was unveiled during the ceremony held in the downtown Pocket Park.
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer - The 13th annual Tree of Honor ceremony had a rousing start on Wednesday evening as members of Marty's Goldenaires marched up Sophie Street and lined up in the Bessemer Pocket Park.
The band played several patriotic tunes, and Myron Re played "Taps" as American flags large and small loomed all around.
As World War II veteran Thomas J. DeCarlo danced to the music, Marty's Director Dan Pitrone prompted the crowd to "give him a hoop and holler."
Emcee George Boline noted that it was "a great honor" to have the opportunity to recognize area veterans, whose dozens of names he read from a program distributed to the crowd.
Another key part of the ceremony was when Ginny Boline and Mary Jo Mykkanen, co-chairs of the event, unveiled this year's Tree of Honor sign now installed in the park.
In addition, a tall spruce tree within the park will remain lit with red, white and blue lights throughout the month of July.
Boline thanked sponsors of the event and the event program included the words "Thank You Veterans" and "Thank you for your service."
After the ceremony, members of Marty's continued to entertain the crowd by engaging in a main street practice session. The parade and concert corps is scheduled to perform at several Independence Day events, including the following:
-Ramsay's street dance on Saturday at about 8 p.m.
-Marenisco's parade on Monday at 11 a.m.
-Wakefield's parade on Monday at 1 p.m.
-Bessemer's parade on Monday at 7 p.m., followed by a concert in Massie Field before the fireworks.
Marty's is affiliated with Bessemer's American Legion Post 27.
