American Legion Post 413 conducted a Memorial Day ceremony on the Cook County courthouse lawn on Monday, May 26, honoring veterans who are no longer with us. Dozens of people gathered to pay their respects and to remember.
Despite the fact that the weather was glorious all through Memorial Day weekend, several dozen people turned out for a special Memorial Day commemoration on the Cook County Courthouse lawn on Monday, May 26, 2014.
American Legion Post Commander Don Wilson welcomed all to the event and introduced Pastor Kris Garey who offered a prayer of remembrance.
Commander Wilson introduced State Patrol Officer Leah Carpenter who sang the National Anthem beautifully, despite a faltering sound system.
The guest speaker— Marine Lieutenant Commander (retired) Terry Breithaupt—talked of the three holidays that veterans celebrate with pride and enthusiasm, all three important to American history—the 4th of July, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Breithaupt said Memorial Day is important to us in America as a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving. “Notice I said, ‘while serving,’” he said, adding, “Not only in time of war, but also in peacetime.”
Above left: State Patrol Trooper Leah Carpenter sang the National Anthem as well as God Bless America. Above right: The service ended with Cook County High School band trumpeters Joe Borud and Owen Anderson (above) playing Taps.
“…Almost all of us who have served in the military have memories of friends and family who died in wars or died while serving. We know it takes a special type of individual to serve in the military. The type of individual who will leave the comforts of home and family to serve so that others can sleep safely,” said Breithaupt.
“Who knows what these men and women could have attained or been, had they lived. We will never know what was lost, but without a doubt, many were destined to have a major impact on our lives, our community and our society. Their skills, knowledge, ideas and their very uniqueness is forever lost to us…
“…Today we take time to mourn the loss of these fine men and women, as well as those who passed on after their military service ended…We remember them as those who have done so much for this great country.
“The men and women we honor today were real people—sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands. They were strong and vibrant. They were loved. And they are missed.
“Today is not about celebrating the beginning of the summer season or a holiday from work. Today is a day of remembrance. At Gettysburg, President Lincoln tasked the surviving soldiers and the gathered civilians to remember those that died in service to their country.
“Those of us who make it home carry heavy burdens.
We know we must fight to honor those who have fallen. And we know living life to the fullest, in spite of injuries, illness, and old age, is our new mission.
“We shall remember our fallen comrades,” said Lt. Col. Breithaupt.
Trooper Carpenter sang God Bless America before Commander Wilson spoke again. Wilson said he wanted to bestow a special thanks to the Native American community, Grand Portage in particular. He noted the significant number of Native Americans who served in the military, and recalled the recent news that Lex Porter of Grand Portage had received a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor for his role as a code talker—a long kept secret.
Wilson spoke of the important role the code talkers played in our nation’s history and said, “I’m overwhelmed that I knew Lex personally. He was a man of honor.”
Wilson also spoke of Milt Powell, a member of the Bad River Band, who served proudly in the Navy and was a member of the American Legion Color Guard for many years.
That remembrance led to the “Honor Roll,” a solemn reading of the veterans with ties to Cook County who passed away since the last Memorial Day. Twenty-five names were read, followed by the tolling of a bell.
The women of the American Legion Post 413 Auxiliary posted a patriotic wreath at the Cook County Veterans Memorial and Pastor Garey gave a closing prayer, a prayer for peace.
Cook County High School band members Owen Anderson and Joe Borud played an echoing version of Taps and the crowd slowly dispersed.
Many people headed to the American Legion post for a luncheon, with the Girl Scout Northern Lights Flag Corps conducting a flag ceremony before the food was served.
Others went to family barbecues or set out fishing on a secret lake. Some headed home to cut the grass or finish household projects.
But all carried the meaning of Memorial Day—and their memories— with them.
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