Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By Damiian Lang
Bessemer — A beautiful, sunny morning at Hillcrest Cemetery was the setting for a Memorial Day Ceremony in Bessemer.
Hosting the ceremony were the Bessemer VFW Post 3673 and American Legion Post 27.
VFW Vice Commander William McDonald and American Legion Commander Donna Frello shared the platform with other key participants, including Bessemer Mayor Peter Tacconelli.
Master of Ceremonies John Frello, the Gogebic County Veterans Affairs officer, welcomed the approximately 150 veterans and civilians in attendance.
During the flag-raising, the A.D. Johnston High School Band played “The Star Spangled Banner.”
“Everyone has a different way of spending this holiday,” said guest speaker SSgt Guadalupe Martinez, (retired).
“I have a red binder where I put pictures of friends I served with. In that binder, I have friends I have lost. I mourn these friends, but I do it so I don’t forget. I also celebrate the times I had with them: the fishing and camping trips, the barbecues.”
He added, “That’s what we should do on this day. Remember the good times we spent together. I hope you do that today, and share those memories with someone else.”
He also suggested that the audience find ways of honoring those who have served.
Martinez began his service while in high school with the Texas National Guard. He retired in 2012 with more than 20 years of combined service in the U.S. Army and National Guard.
Led by Commander Irv Mattson, the Veterans’ Firing Squad provided the Honor Guard Salute, after which Myron Re and Marcus Re also played “Taps with Echo.”
Marcus Re is the commander of the Sons of the American Legion.
The Reverend Dominic Agyapong offered both the invocation and the benediction.
John Frello closed with these words: “Our constitution, by extension our country, endures because of the sacrifices of those who fought for her principles. Those sacrifices made and continue to make the American way of life possible.”