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IRONWOOD - Following a morning memorial
service at the Ironwood Memorial Building, a small parade
marched through downtown to the corner of Ayer and Suffolk
streets. There at the War Memorial veterans placed wreaths as
buglers from the Luther L. Wright Band, played taps. This year’s
student bugler’s were Ashley Rahko and Ben Moore. Parade viewers
told us that they greatly appreciate the student’s giving up
part of their holiday to help in this day of remembrance. The
band was directed by Ironwood Schools Music Director, Steve
Boyd.
Following the placing of the wreaths, the parade
marchers continued to Riverside Cemetery. At the cemetery
members of the Clergy and veterans performed the annual Memorial
Day Ceremony. Those gathered included the ROTC under the command
of Col. Menki, a rifle squad, the Memorial Chorus and the Luther
L. Wright Band.
The audience and other attendees were
greet by the Master of Ceremonies, Col Gary Harrington USAF Ret.
Following the Col. Harrington, Fr. Darryl Pepin delivered the
Invocation. The Memorial Chorus then sang “Amazing Grace”.
In the absence of the City’s Mayor, Rick Semo delivered an
ad address “Ironwood Remembers”.
The Placing of the
Wreaths ceremony followed the speech. Placing the wreath in
rememberance of Grand Army of Republic & Spanish American War
were Kathy Anderson , V.F.W. Auxiliary, and George Rosario,
V.F.W.
Placing the Gold Star Mothers wreath were Elaine
Peterson, American Legion Auxiliary and John R Runquist, Vietnam
Veterans.
Placing the World War 1 wreath were Melissa
Westrich, V.F.W. Auxiliary and Ron Trone, V.F.W. The World War
II wreath was presented by Missy Allen, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and
Leonard Michaelson, V.F. W .
Arla Romo , American Legion
Auxiliary, and Sulo Romo , American Legion presented the Korean
War wreath.
Margraet Celeski, American Legion Auxiliary,
and James Simmons, Michigan National Guard presented the Vietnam
War wreath.
A wreath for Granada,Panama,Persian
Gulf and Bosnain Wars was presented by Betty Perkis,
AMVETS Auxiliary and Gary Johnson, AMVETS .
The Operation
Enduring Freedom wreath was presented by Ashley Hampston,
American Legion Auxiliary and Gary Kusz, Marine Corps League.
A wreath was also placed for the Irag,Afghanistan Wars. That
wreath was presented by Nicole Grbavceich, V.F.W.Auxiliary .
Each year the Navy Spray is cast upon the waters of the
Montreal River. This year the spray was brought to the river by
Mary Ann Hesse, American Legion Auxiliary and Tom Niksich
American Legion. As the two brought the spray to the river the
Memorial Chorus sang the Navy Hymn.
This year’s
Laying of the Roses was done by Janel DeCarlo, Hannah Abramson,
Jacquelyb Wiemeri and Katie Wiemeri. The Memorial Chorus sang
“Let There Be Peace”.
The presenting of the flag and the
Battlefield Salute to Fallen Comrades was done by John P.
Rundquist, Dale Tormnerg and Gary Kusz. The Ironwood H.S.
J.R.O.T.C. performed the Twenty One Gun Salute, followed by
Taps, once again played by Ashley Rahko and Benjamin Moore.
The Benediction was then given by Rev. Bo Baumeister.
The Ceremonies were then concluded with the playing of the
National Anthem by the Luther L. Wright Band, under the
direction of Steve Boyd.
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