Cook County School District I.S.D. 166 school counselor Kris Hoffman intently watched and listened to Dr. Bill DeWitt as he delivered the Veterans Day speech at the school last Friday. Although the crowd was smaller this year because many people, including students, had gone to the Twin Cities to watch the Viking girls volleyball team play in the state volleyball tournament, it was nonetheless a very meaningful time for those who attended, and who took part in this time-honored tradition to honor those who served the country.
Grand Portage Band Tribal Veterans Service Officer Clarence (Clinker) Everson welcomed a room full of people to the American Legion Post 2009 on Friday, November 11. Following an introduction the Stonebridge Singers, —Bob Vogel, Cade Northrup, Trevor Deschampe, Brent Sorenson, David Logan, Tanner Hendrickson, and Kyler Deschampe—offered an honor song and members of the Grand Portage Legion stepped outside to raise the Canadian, MIA and American flags.
Everson noted that November is Native American Heritage Month. He said part of the heritage of the Native Americans is service to their country. He said that per capita, more Native Americans fought in World War I, World War II and all the other wars and conflicts. He noted that today there are an estimated 190,000 Native Americans in the military.
Curtis Gagnon was the featured speaker. Curtis said that it was a strong tradition within the native culture to serve in the military.
At 2 p.m. a Veterans Day tribute was held at the Cook County High School.
Above: Catching a salute from Dr. Bill DeWiit, American Post Legion 413 Color Guard presented the flags at the high school Veterans Day tribute. Right: Arms folded, Dick Nelson sits next to his father Willard Nelson. At 102 years old, Willard is believed to be one of the oldest living veterans in Cook County.
Kris Hoffman, the school counselor and a veteran who served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2004 to 2012, was the program host for the afternoon. He introduced featured speaker Dr. Bill DeWitt, the PK-12 assistant principal. Dr. DeWitt served as a captain in the U.S. Army-Infantry from 2003- 2009, with two tours in Iraq, one in 2004-2005 and the second 2007-2008.
American Legion Post #413 Honor Guard and Auxiliary members Don Wilson, Commander, Bob Mattson, Ronald Wilson, Orvis Lunke and Jim Andersen raised the flags.
There was some recognition given to special veterans like Willard Nelson, who was celebrating his 102nd birthday on November 11.
With the band down in the Twin Cities performing for the volleyball team and the Cook County fans attending the game to cheer them on, it was up to the middle school and high school choirs to perform for the veterans and the students.
Cook County High School Choir director Erika Ternes led the senior high choir through the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Finlandia Hymn. The senior high choir was joined by the middle school choir on the singing of the Armed Forces Salute. CCHS senior Melanie Smith and Trygg Axtell (out of high school some 30 years) played alternate taps from either side of the gymnasium at the end of the tribute.
Ceremonies in honor of local veterans continued at Grandma Ray’s, formerly American Legion Post 413 where veterans received a free meal.
While the day ended, words spoken by Ellen Olson of Grand Portage lingered. Olson reminded the crowd that two servicemen from Grand Portage had gone off to fight in World War II. They were captured by the Japanese at Iwo Jima and taken as prisoners of war. Treatment for both men was terrible, she said, and one died in that prisoner of war camp. One came home, she said. Remember these two, on this day and every day. As Curtis Gagnon said, “Freedom isn’t free, it’s earned by the sacrifice of the veterans.”
Above: Curtis Gagnon was the keynote speaker at the Veterans Day tribute held in Grand Portage. Left: The Stonebridge Singers—as always—did a fabulous job drumming and singing for the public and veterans in Grand Portage.
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