Bessemer honors veterans with program, breakfast

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Bessemer - "Freedom is not free."

Keynote speaker Sgt. 1st Class J.J. Aspinwall reminded the audience of that fact at a Bessemer Veterans Day ceremony.

"It comes at a cost," said Aspinwall, who is a recruiter at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Ironwood.

Aspinwall said his time in the service taught him "resiliency, teamwork and the true meaning of courage," and he encouraged veterans to engage in community service when their commitments to the U.S. Armed Forces have ended.

John Frello, the Veterans Service Officer for Gogebic County, emceed the ceremony, which took place in the gym of the A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School.

A special feature of the program was a martial arts routine provided by Rukus Betlewski of the Karate Institute in Ironwood. Performing with him was Luka Holmberg, 7, of Ironwood.

The program also included a reading by Frello of the names of local service members who passed away since the previous Veterans Day.

Afterward, Myron Re played "Taps" as the crowd stood at attention.

Color Guard members also participated in the ceremony.

The school choir sang "My Country Tis of Thee" under the direction of Briana Kepich, and the school band played the Armed Services Medley under the direction of Josh Kepich.

Several students from Washington Elementary School who have helped to raise or lower the flag at the school also received certificates of appreciation from Commander Donna Frello of VFW Post 3673 and Commander Charles Tirpik of American Legion Post 27.

John Frello also expressed appreciation to Bessemer area students who wrote letters to veterans who participated in a recent Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Before the ceremony, members of the school's National Honor Society also prepared a breakfast for veterans.