Joining forces to honor America’s fighting forces were Honor Guards from American Legion Post 413 of Grand Marais and American Legion Post 2009 of Grand Portage and the Post 413 Legion Auxiliary. Participating in the May 30 ceremony, which was moved indoors because of rain, were (L-R, seated) Edie Mattson, Kirsten Pederson, Eloise Christianson, Kathy Pederson, Nancy Leonard. (L-R, back) Joel Allard, Tony Swader, Orvis Lunke, Ron Wilson, James Ford, Commander Don Wilson, Mitchell Cyrette, Veterans Services Officer Clarence Everson.
Rain caused the Memorial Day ceremony to be moved from the courthouse lawn to the American Legion Post 413 lounge, but it did not dampen the spirits of those who gathered to remember and honor our nation’s veterans on Monday, May 30, 2011.
Post 413 Commander Don Wilson gave a welcome and introduced the American Legion Honor Guard, which this year included members of Grand Portage American Legion Post 2009. Commander Wilson thanked Grand Portage for joining forces with the Grand Marais Legion on this special day.
Before beginning, Wilson said this year’s ceremony is in honor of Bob Zimmerman, known by many as “Hambone,” who was a staunch member of Post 413, serving on the Color Guard for many, many years.
All stood as Navy Chief Petty Officer (Retired) Ted Flack sang the National Anthem. Pastor Kris Garey of Trinity Lutheran Church offered a prayer and Commander Wilson gave a brief speech, noting that sadly, “Every generation has a war.”
Naval Chief Petty Officer Ted Flack (Retired) sang the National Anthem. Behind him, hand on heart, is Eloise Christianson.
He spoke of the various wars, skirmishes, and conflicts in which the United States’ fighting forces had taken part. “That is why we are here, to remember,” said Wilson.
He recalled the challenge of June 6, 1944—the D-Day Invasion in Normandy, France— when soldiers died coming off the ships, before even getting their feet wet. “To those people, I say, ‘We shall remember.’”
Wilson spoke of those who fought in Korea, slogging through muddy fields, repeating, “To those people, I say, ‘We shall remember.’”
He talked about the fighting in Vietnam, the battles with an enemy seldom even seen in the jungles and swamps, and pledged, “To those people, I say, ‘We shall remember.’”
And he added that now U.S. troops are being sent to fight in the land of sand, camels and 100-plus-degree heat, to again face an enemy seldom seen, an enemy that seems friendly by day but which sets roadside bombs at night. He said again, “To those people, I say, ‘We shall remember.’”
Wilson pointed to the POWMIA flags on the wall and noted what a terrible thing it is to not know the outcome of loved ones sent off to war. “To those people, I say, ‘We shall remember.’”
An honor roll was then read, with Wilson saying the names of veterans who have died since last Memorial Day. After each name, he tolled a bell, which has been donated for use by the Legion by Iola Wojtysiak.
Pastor Garey gave a closing prayer. She prayed, “Almighty God, great and holy Spirit, around our nation there are men and women in the national guard and branches of the military service serving communities hit by disasters from tornadoes and floods. We thank you for those who are serving the communities.
“We know that when a family sends someone to serve there is fear, for the family and for the individual, whether the service is at home in peace time or in places of war. You know us better than we know ourselves, and you know the fear that lies beneath courage.
“We commend to your gracious care all those serving at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be.
“We ask that you give nations new ways of peace, that war becomes obsolete. I pray this in the name of Christ. Amen.”
Veterans lost since last Memorial Day
Bruce Bockovich
Cliff Curtis
Gerald Eisler
Richard McKenzie
Richard Anderson
Burt Kreitlow
John Viren
William Vogel
Everett Bushman
Joe Kalahan
Clayton Hakala
Chuck Futterer
Gordon Lindemann
George Sippel
Gene Mattson
Ernie Olson
Bob Zimmerman
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