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(Top left photo) Representing the American Legion Auxiliary are Janet Breithaupt on the left, and Nancy Backlund. These two women placed the wreath at the foot of the Veteran’s Memorial.
More than 100 people turned out to take part in the Memorial Day service held on the courthouse lawn this past Monday.
Although it looked like it was going to rain, the clouds dispersed and sun came out during the 30-minute ceremony and it was the first time in more than a year that a crowd gathered without most folks wearing a mask.
The service began at 11 a.m. with the American Legion Post 413 Honor Guard, Sue Westerlind, Rodney Carlson, Wayne Johnson, Cameron Roy, and James Zimmer, assembled on the courthouse lawn as Post Commander Bob Mattson asked the I.S.D. 166 choir to sing the National Anthem. Before the ceremony a commemorative wreath was placed at the front of the marble monument on the courthouse lawn to honor the ultimate sacrifice for those who gave their lives in service to the country.
Next, American Legion Post 413 Commander Bob Mattson asked Pastor Kris Geary to lead the opening prayer. Following that, Commander Mattson gave his address. He talked about the sacrifices people made who served in the military, adding that Memorial Day wasn’t a day to honor war, it was a day to honor the people who served their country, volunteering to leave friends and family behind and put themselves in harms way.
(Top photo) Sue Westerlind, wearing sunglasses, and her partner carefully folded the United States flag. When the task was completed only the Union (the blue portion with white stars) was showing and the open edges were folded in.
A somber Mattson concluded his remarks by introducing the 2020-21 Veteran’s Honor Roll, calling out the names of 18 veterans who had ties to Cook County who had passed away in the last year. Every time he called a name, he struck a silver bell with a small hammer and then held a moment of silence before going to the next name.
Here are the veterans who left us over the last year: Gerald Ostraski, Mike Bjerkness, Jerry Jacobsen, Edward Olsen, Edward Czaplicki, Thomas Husvet, Fred Derwenko, John Avery, Chuck Tofte, Robert Sherman, Richard Nowers, Richard Lee, Mx Hinkle, Curtis Gagnon, Bernie Gestel, Jim Huskey, Peter Floe, and Jim Hanes.
The ceremony concluded with the rifle squad: Orvis Lunke, Jimmy Ford, and Rodney Carlson, firing three volleys. This was followed by the sound of taps from Jonah Schmidt and the folding of the American flag that had been presented by the Color Guard.
(Lower photo) The Color Guard stood solemnly while the CCHS high school choir, led by Cindy Johnson, sang the National Anthem.
Following the ceremony, Mattson invited the public to go to the Harbor light restaurant where veterans and their spouses would enjoy complimentary meals. “We had a great turnout at the Harbor Light,” Mattson said, adding it was great to see so many people take part in the Memorial Day ceremony.
American Legion Post 413 Commander Bob Mattson led the 2021 Memorial Day Service.
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