Monday, November 11, 2013 will be a busy day for me, with a multitude of Veterans Day events to cover. It’s not unusual for me to have a full schedule. Frequently my days are spent scurrying from one activity to another, or from meeting to meeting. But on Monday, November 11, the events have special significance. Monday, November 11 is the day we take a break from our normal routine to remember and honor our nation’s veterans.
Veterans Day will be a bit different this year. As I have for over a decade, I’ll be heading to Grand Portage to attend the ceremony performed by Grand Portage American Legion Post 2009. But this year, that event will take place in two places. At sunrise, veterans will raise the flags of the United States, Canada, and Grand Portage and the flags of each branch of the military at the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial. The flags will wave proudly at the memorial throughout the day and the Veterans Room at the Log Cabin Museum will be open for veterans and their families.
The Veterans Day ceremony will not be held at the memorial this year, however. The people at the veterans’ memorial—and anyone else who wants to attend—will travel to the Grand Portage Legion’s new building at Portage Bay at Highway 61 mile marker 146. For the first time, the public will get to see the former Minnesota Department of Transportation wayside rest, now the new Legion facility on the hillside overlooking Lake Superior.
Although it is in a new location, the Grand Portage ceremony will start as it always does, with a traditional drum song at 10:30 a.m. There will be a moment of silence at 11 a.m. in recognition of the signing of the armistice of World War I and then Melvin Gagnon will give a brief speech. And then the Grand Portage Legion Auxiliary will provide refreshments for veterans, friends and family.
It is always wonderful to see how Grand Portage honors our veterans. But this year will be extra special since it will be the first time we all get to see the new Portage Bay Legion.
After the Grand Portage ceremony, the community is invited to a special Veterans Day concert at the Cook County High School gym at 2 p.m. American Legion Post 413 of Grand Marais takes part in this event. This has become an amazing Veterans Day tradition. I hope all of our veterans attend this event, beautifully choreographed by Band Director Kerri Bilben and school staff.
If you attend the school event, don’t forget to bring a box of cookies. The Cook County Middle School and High School student councils are collecting cookies to send to local men and women serving in the Armed Forces. If you forget, you can donate cash to help pay for shipping “Cookies for Troops,” to let our active duty military know that we are thinking of them.
I’ll wrap up my day at American Legion Post 413 where I am a member of the auxiliary. A dinner will be served—free to veterans— from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Legion.
I’ll be there not as a reporter, but as a supporter of our veterans. You’ll see me there, trying to help. I’m not very handy in the kitchen, so I’ll bus tables or help serve and basically try to stay out of the way of the folks who actually know what’s going on.
I’ll be there because although I complain about my busy days hurrying from place to place, my hectic life is easy compared to the sacrifices made by the men and women of our Armed Forces. The life I live—in safety and security—has been secured by those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. The freedom of speech that I work to ensure has been paid for by the struggles of those veterans.
Helping serve a meal is the least I can do to say thank you.
Gracious God, we join hearts with those who wait on a loved one. Candles are lit in cathedrals; yellow ribbons are tied on trees, posts, and car antennas; flags are flown. Be with husbands and wives, parents and grandparents, children and friends. Comfort those who worry and cry. We will light candles together. Family. Friends. Americans.
Amen.
Chaplain Patrick
McLaughlin
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