After “Posting of the Colors” for the Veterans Day ceremony held for the public at the high school, American Legion Post 413 Honor Guard and Auxiliary members took a seat as the program proceeded. Seated from L-R: Bob Mattson, commander; Jim Ford; Sue Westerlind; Orvis Lunke; and Rodney Carlson. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
A friendly group of mostly older folks gathered at Grand Portage American Legion Post 2009 on Nov. 11 for a Veterans Day celebration.
The observance began at 10:30 a.m. with a Drum Ceremony from the Stone Bridge Drummers. Due to the cold, the flag ceremony and playing of the U.S. and Canadian national anthems was held inside the legion post.
Clarence Everson, Veteran Services officer, introduced the guest speaker, Rhonda Silence.
“I was surprised when Veteran Services Officer Clarence Everson-Clinker asked me to be the speaker,” said Silence. “I’m not a veteran, so why would he want me to speak? I wondered if it was just because I’m loud enough to talk to everyone in the room without a microphone,” she said to laughter.
But that wasn’t the reason Rhonda was picked to give the Veterans Day address. She has an extensive background with reporting on veterans and has been surrounded by veterans her whole life.
“Like many of you, I do have a number of veterans in my family circle – my brothers, Randy Bockovich in the U.S. Air Force; Ryan in submarine service in the Navy; my sister, Rhodelle, a Navy Seabee; my uncles, Kallie, Gillie, Bob, and Bruce Bockovich; and my dad, Richard Bockovich – who was serving a stint in the Army when I was born at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Above, the Stone Bridge Singers (with a little assist) opened the Grand Portage Veterans Day program with a drum ceremony. They also performed the Honor Song and Travel Song. Staff photos/ Brian Larsen
“And of course, my soldier husband, Chuck, who served in the Army for 22 years. Thank you to all of them for their service.
“I sometimes joke that I’m not a veteran, I’m a ‘camp follower,’ something other military spouses can understand. It’s not always easy being a military wife, but it is rewarding. We wear that title with pride, sometimes with T-shirts or sweatshirts declaring, ‘Some people never meet their heroes – I married mine.’
“So, as a camp follower, I thought I maybe do have something worth sharing this Veterans Day.
“It gives me the chance to talk about one of the greatest honors I’ve ever received, the gift of a brick in the walkway at the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial.
On the left: Rhonda Silence did a great job giving the keynote speech at the Grand Portage Veterans Day service. The cake said it all, “Thank you for your service!”
“It was such a wonderful surprise. I’m told it was given in appreciation of the work I’ve done telling veteran stories. What a joy that has been…
“I’m told my precious brick in the memorial walkway was also for my reporting on the work of Grand Portage veterans and community members, on all the fundraising, the development and the construction of the Grand Portage Veterans Memorial next to the old school. I can tell you there were some tears when I visited the beautiful memorial site and saw a brick declaring Rhonda Silence ‘Friends of Veterans.’
“It’s an honor that I don’t really feel I deserve because…I was just doing my job.
“I was just doing my job. Sound familiar? Time and again, as I listened to veterans and recorded their stories, I heard that. From brave men and women who faced unimaginable horrors. From veterans who were ready at any time to face hardship, loneliness, and even death. ‘I was just doing my job.’
Retired U.S. Staff Sergeant Theo Rex was the featured speaker at the high school.
“That job, defending the freedom of our country, protecting our citizens and those in foreign lands from danger, doing the work that others don’t want to do – that job is one that must be honored and respected.”
Rhonda closed with a favorite quote attributed to Rudyard Kipling:
“In times of war and not before,
God and the soldier we adore,
But in times of peace and all things righted,
God is forgotten, and the soldier slighted.”
She concluded with, “That is why ceremonies like this one are so very important. It is important to pause on this 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the anniversary of the Armistice, to remember the sacrifices of our heroes. It is important to say THANK YOU. Thank you, veterans, ‘For just doing your job.’”
A second Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Cook County High School, and the stands were packed with students and members of the public. High School principal Megan Meyers and assistant principal Mitch Dorr were the program hosts.
Clarence (Clinker) Everson was the host of the Grand Portage Veterans Day ceremony.
American Legion Post 413 Honor Guard & Auxiliary led by Bob Mattson, commander, with Jim Ford, Sue Westerlind, Orvis Lunke, and Rodney Carlson, performed the posting of the colors.
Senior Adam Dorr led the Pledge of Allegiance with the Cook County middle school and high school choir following by singing Proud of our Veterans. And the band playing the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Retired U.S. Staff Sergeant Theodore (Theo) Rex gave a persuasive and powerful speech about honoring our fallen veterans and the veterans who come home. Some come back with injuries, both physical and mental, he said.
Rex, who entered the military in 2006, has gone through 11 surgeries. He was medically retired from the service in 2014. Rex is a disabled veteran who has suffered from PTSD, chronic physical pain and violent headaches, but he has been able to access the services and care he has needed, while other veterans haven’t been able to do so.
Pat Strand, Cook County Veteran Services officer, shared information and answered questions for veterans and families on Veterans Day at the Cook County Senior Center.
“My struggles are not unique,” said Rex, adding that it is estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide each day.
“We owe it to them to take care of them,” he said.
Following Rex’s speech, veterans from the five different branches of the military were asked to stand and be recognized with applause. The CCHS band played the Armed Forces Salute and sophomore Jonah Schmidt played Taps while the audience was asked to rise, and the Honor Guard retired the colors.
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