Ralph Tessor sang the National Anthem as the American flag was raised at the Veterans ceremony on Monday, November 12.
Veterans, friends and family members gathered in Grand Portage on Monday, November 12 for a Veterans Day ceremony. As is custom, people gathered at the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial, at the circle of flags.
Because bitter winds were blowing, a brief flag raising ceremony was held. Ralph Tessor, a Merchant Marine who served in Vietnam, sang the National Anthem while the United States flag was raised. The Canadian National Anthem was played as the flag of our northern neighbors and allies was raised. And finally, to the soft sound of the Stonebridge Singers drumming in the community building nearby, the Grand Portage flag and then the flags of each branch of service were raised.
Raising flags in this year’s ceremony were Arvid Dahl, Mickey Spry, Lonnie Kauppi, Tony Swader, Orlando Swader, Richard Bockovich, Charlie Peterson, Ed Long, Darryl Deschampe and Dick Hoaglund.
After the flags were raised, all moved inside to the log community building where the Stonebridge Singers sat in a circle around their drum—and where they were circled by the community. The Stonebridge Singers—Trevor Deschampe, Brent Sorenson, Fred Ice, Marcus Logan, David Logan, John Vogel, Bob Vogel, and Dylan Deschampe—offered an honor song. Among the people surrounding them were Grand Portage Tiny Tot Princess Holly Dahl and Jr. Princess Christina James.
Veteran Butch Deschampe welcomed everyone and spoke of the Veterans Day traditions. Deschampe said Veterans Day is a day to remember those lost, those wounded, and those who serve today. He said there are veterans with a connection to Grand Portage.
“We must heed the words of our country’s first commander, General George Washington,” said Deschampe. “He said, ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.’”
A day of honor. Upper Right: Servicemen raised flags of the various branches of the Armed Forces while the Stonebridge Singers drum played an honor song from the log community building nearby. Above left: The crowd gathered in a circle in the log building to hear the powerful drum of the Stonebridge Singers. Above right: Elder Jim Drouillard, the last living Grand Portage World War II veteran, made a presentation to Tim Cochrane, superintendent of the Grand Portage National Monument Heritage Center. Drouillard donated his custom-made buckskin jacket.
Deschampe said Grand Portage is grateful to its veterans and that is why at every powwow, in the sacred circle, veterans are remembered. “It is a tradition we hope to carry on.”
He took a moment then to introduce Jim Drouillard, who is the last living World War II veteran from Grand Portage. Drouillard asked Grand Portage National Monument Superintendent Tim Cochrane to join him. Drouillard presented Cochrane with a beautiful, butter-soft buckskin jacket that he has worn for many years. Drouillard said he was donating the jacket to the Grand Portage National Monument Heritage Center.
Cochrane thanked Drouillard for the honor of carEing for this special gift for the Heritage Center. Butch Deschampe said the jacket would be kept at the Heritage Center to remember all that Jim Drouillard has done for the Grand Portage community.
The Stonebridge Singers sang another song and then refreshments were served. The community moved about the circle, visiting, remembering, honoring and supporting our veterans on this special day.
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