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News
IRON COUNTY — In honor of Memorial Day, May 29, Iron County will reflect on the sacrifices made and lives lost by Americans in service to their country.
Crystal Falls/Amasa: Ceremonies in Crystal Falls begin at 9 a.m., with a parade stepping off from the corner of Logan Street and Washington Ave. and marching into the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery ceremony area. Master of ceremonies at the cemetery is Christopher Sholander. Following the invocation by Steve Rhoades, the Forest Park Band will perform the National Anthem. The Memorial Day Address will then be given by Steve Tinti.
The program will continue with the VFW Auxiliary wreath ceremony, followed by a volley by the color guard. Taps will be played by the Forest Park High School Band. Closing prayer by Steve Rhoades.
Should inclement weather prevail, the services will be held inside the Eddie Chambers Memorial Gym starting at 9:30 a.m.
Veteran’s program following at the Hematite Township Cemetery in Amasa.
Stambaugh: Members of the American Legion Reino Post 21 will place flags on the graves of veterans in the Stambaugh Cemetery on Sunday, May 28 at 9 a.m.
The program on Memorial Day will begin at 10:30 a.m. Senior Master Sgt. USAF (Ret.) Marie Brunswick, Master of Ceremonies, will give the welcome. Members of the Caspian-Gaastra Fire Department will raise the flag.
Linda Johnson and Connie Sue Jagelewski, members of the American Legion Reino Unit 21 Auxiliary will place the wreath on the cross in honor of all deceased veterans.
The guest speaker is Congressman Jack Bergman who proudly represents the First District of Michigan and serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Budget Committee and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the 118th Congress. Prior to taking office in January of 2017, Congressman Bergman was a small business owner, commercial airline pilot for 22 years, and a United States Marine Corps officer. During the Vietnam War, he flew CH-46 helicopters, and later was assigned as a flight instructor at Whiting Field, Florida. In 2005, Congressman Bergman assumed command of Marine Force Reserve/Marine Forces North based in New Orleans, and he retired from the Marine Corps in December 2009 at the rank of Lieutenant General. The Congressman is the highest-ranking combat Veteran ever elected to Congress. He and his wife Cindy have called Watersmeet home since the early 1990’s. They have ten grandchildren and aim to leave the world a better place for them.
The program will conclude with the firing of a volley by members of the Reino Post 21 firing squad and the playing of taps.
In case of inclement weather, the Memorial Day Service will be held at Caspian Gaastra Fire Dept.
The American Legion Reino Post 21 will also be conducting a Memorial Day Service at the Iron River Care Center at 2 p.m. All are welcomed to attend.
Bates Township: Memorial Day Ceremony at 8 – 8:30 a.m. Bates Township Cemetery.
Refreshments-immediately following the ceremony at Bates Township Hall.
Invocation/Benediction: Pastor Corey Shankleton, North Gate Church. Speaker: Johathan Bofinger, Senior Master Sargent, Office of Special Investigation, United State Air Force.
The vocalist will be Jessica Thibodeau.
VFW Ottawa Post 3134 & Westside Veterans Council will do the flag-raising, color guard, etc.
If there is inclement weather – the ceremony will be held at the Bates Township Hall.
Beechwood: Ceremonies in Beechwood will be held at Rosehill Cemetery starting at 8 a.m. Beechwood AMVETS Post 436 will present the colors. The program will include Laying of the Wreath and Pledge of Allegiance by Harlie and Gracyn Melstrom followed by welcome by Master of Ceremonies Pat Turner. The invocation will be given by Dale Melstrom, Post Chaplain; Patriotic message by Harlie and Graycn Melstrom; musical presentation by Krtista Gussert and Gary Friestrom; Memorial Day address by Emma Bofinger, 2023 West Iron County Graduate and Valedictorian (introduced by Pat Turner); roll call (Amvets Post 436); and benediction by Post Chaplain Dale Melstrom.
A color guard volley military salute by Beechwood AMVETS Post 436 and “Taps” by Curt Brendel will conclude the proceedings.
Friends and neighbors are invited to the Beechwood Hall for a Memorial Day Social to follow with a “thanks to everyone” for attending the service.
Iron River: The Iron River program will begin with the firing of a volley at the Iron River Cemetery at 8:30 a.m. by Westside Veteran Council.
The program will continue at the Veterans Memorial on Genesee Street at 9:30 a.m., with a ceremony led by the West Side Veterans’ Council. The president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 17 will present the wreath at the memorial.
A parade will immediately follow up Genesee Street. The program at Resthaven Cemetery begins at 11 a.m. Guest Speaker Jim Brennan, Navy veteran. Military Rites will be presented by West Side Veterans.
There will be a ceremony in Alvin, Wis. following Resthaven Cemetery program at noon.