A new addition to the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial was installed just days before the November 11, 2009 Veterans Day event—a majestic bald eagle, perched on a globe with its wings stretched in a protective pose. Grand Portage veteran and Tribal Council member Bill Myers saw a smaller eagle on display at an outdoor show in Brainerd. He asked the creator if he had something larger, for veterans. The vendor did, and he delivered the huge eagle to Duluth where Grand Portage veteran Mickey Spry picked it up and brought it home to Grand Portage. Tara Gordon of Grand Portage painted the eagle, globe, and sturdy base. A new sign, from FastLine Graphics in Duluth, also now clearly declares the name of the honorable site and explains why the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial is needed—it is “Defending the Past – Protecting the Future.” Above: Members of Grand Portage American Legion Post 2009 help guide the eagle into place. Right: The new eagle seems to be protecting the golden eagle that has stood guard over the Veterans Memorial at the edge of the hill since 2002.
Photo by Bob Swanson
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