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After the Memorial Day service, a picture was taken of the American Legion Post 413 participants. From L-R: Wayne Johnson, Jeff Eliasen, Selien Morawitz, Orvis Lunke, Rich Palmer, Rodney Carlson, Randy Spry, Sue Westerlind, Gordon Salisbury, and Bob Mattson. Staff photos Brian Larsen
By one count, 170 people attended the Memorial Day service held last Monday on the courthouse lawn, a crowd more significant than has been seen for several years.
Robert (Bob) Mattson once again led the ceremony. Bob has been active in planning and running the Memorial Day service since the early 1990s. “This will be my last time,” he said, following the service. “I’m handing the duties over to Rodney Carlson.”
The service began at 11 a.m. on a beautiful day with blue skies, temperatures in the mid-60s, and a light breeze, a perfect day to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could enjoy our freedoms.
The American Legion Post 413 Honor Guard took its position. Then the audience quieted as a prayer was said and American Legion 413 Post Commander Mattson called on the Cook County High School choir to sing a beautiful rendition of the national anthem, complete with hand gestures.
Following Mattson’s moving tribute honoring those soldiers who gave their lives for our country, he solemnly announced that 24 veterans with ties to Cook County had passed away in the previous year. As Bob read the names of the veterans, he struck a silver bell with a small hammer, the sound resonating through the crowd who stood in silence and reverence, honoring these fallen veterans:
First graders acted out the songs sung by the high school choir. They learned the songs from the choir teacher in school and had asked if they could attend and follow along as the choir sang while standing in the crowd. It was a sweet moment. Staff photos Brian Larsen
Tom Cummings, John Hussey, Wayne Lind, Harold Husby, Harvey Morck, Gale Drouillard, Floyd Pearson, Wayne Brandt, Bill Butz, James Beaster, Leonard Sobanja, Gordon Lindquist, Loren Leslie Steve Homa, Jim (Sporto) Ford, Howard (Buddy” Sivertson, Barry Banoff, Lawrence Scully, Dennis Morrison, Don Hoaglund, Roger Nelsen, Robert Carter, Jr., James Knoth, James Lawson.
Following the reading of the names, Brayden Schmidt played taps.
The wreath was laid by ladies Auxilary members at the front of the Veteran’s marble monument, and the ceremony concluded with some folks headed to Birch Terrace Restaurant for a meal while others ventured to the cemetery to visit the graves of a veteran— all marked by American flags—to pay tribute for their service to the country.
U.S. flags were placed on the gravesites of veterans throughout the county. Staff photos Brian Larsen
Women from the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 413 served the meal at Birch Terrace. They did yeoman’s work, also cleaning up when folks were done eating. Staff photos Brian Larsen
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