Ironwood Gives Honors on Memorial Day
IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, May 26, 2008 - Ironwood's Memorial Day program began at 9:00 AM CST today with meditation music being played by Andrea Alleva. At 9:15 AM a Memorial Service was held in the Memorial Building Auditorium. The Battle Hymn of the Republic was played by the Memorial Day Chorus, directed by Tony Matusewic, followed by Abide With Me.
The Placing of American Flags was done by Tom Yelich, Dan Adams, and SFC James Simmons along with Natalie Arias, Ella Lynott and Ashley Lynott.
Ashley Oliver sang Eili, Eili, Kathy Skolasinski sang Ave Maria and the Memorial Day Chorus performed How Great Thou Art. All were accompanied by Andrea Alleva.
Memorial Prayers were offered by Father Darryl Pepin, escorted by Natalie Arias; Reverend Francis Strong, escorted by Ella Lynott; and Brittany Delich, escorted by Ashley Lynott.
Ashley Oliver performed the Lord's Prayer; the Memorial Chorus performed America the Beautiful; and the everybody at the ceremony sang along with God Bless America. Andrea Alleva accompanied each of these performances as well.
The Color Guard lead the procession from the Memorial Building to the Veterans Monument at the Ironwood Post Office. Wreaths were placed there by the following: Sulo Romo placed the American Legion Wreath; Gary Johnson placed the American Veterans Wreath; John Rundquist placed the Disabled American Veterans Wreath; Gary Kusz placed the Marine Corps League Wreath; and Leonard Michaelson placed the Veterans of Foreign Wars Wreath. Taps was played by Amber Warrick and Alycia Peckathorn.
The Color Guard then lead the group to the Riverside Cemetery where Master of Ceremonies, Col. Gary Harrington USAF Retired, gave a presentation. The Invocation was performed by Reverend Francis Strong. The Memorial Day Chorus sang Amazing Grace. And Mayor Bruce Noren gave a speech "Ironwood Remembers."
Wreaths were placed as follows: Grand Army of Republic & Spanish America War - Linsey Grivicich (VFW Auxiliary) escorted by Herb Swanbeck (Disabled American Veterans); Gold Star Mothers - Elaine Peterson (American Legion Auxiliary) escorted by John P. Rundquist (Vietnam Veterans); World War I - Erica Motier (VFW Auxiliary) escorted by Dennis Peite (VFW); World War II - Randi Jackson (VFW Auxiliary) escorted by Leonard Michaelson (VFW); Korean War - Arla Roma (American Legion Auxiliary) escorted by Sulo Romo (American Legion); Vietnam War - Margaret Celeski (American Legion Auxiliary) escorted by James Simmons (Michigan National Guard); Granada, Panama, Persian Gulf and Bosnian Wars - Janet Gheller (AMVETS Auxilary) escorted by Gary Johnson (AMVETS); Operation Enduring Freedom - Ashley Hampston (American Legion Auxiliary) escorted by Gary Kusz (Marine Corps League); and Iraq, Afghanistan Wars - Kathy Anderson (VFW Auxiliary) escorted by James Jenkis (VFW).
The Navy Spray Cast Upon the Waters of the Montreal River by Mary Ann Hesse (American Legion Auxiliary) escorted by Dan Adams (American Legion) while the Memorial Day Chorus performed by Navy Hymn.
Natalie Arias, Ella Lynott, and Ashley Lynott, unescorted in Memory of those who gave their lives and missed the joys of their children did the Laying of the Roses while the Memorial Day Chorus performed Let There Be Peace.
The Battlefield Salute to Fallen Comrades was performed by John P. Rundquist (Vietnam Veterans), Dale Tormberg (Vietnam Veterans) and Gary Kusz (Vietnam Veterans).
A Twenty One Gun Salute was given by the Ironwood High School Junior ROTC, and Taps was performed by Amber Warrick and Alycia Peckathorn.
Father Darryl Pepin gave the Benediction, and the National Anthem ended the ceremony and was performed by the Ironwood High School Band, directed by Steven Boyd.
Jim Albert
MEMORIAL BUILDING SERVICE AUDIO
