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Memorial Day
IRON COUNTY — In honor of Memorial Day, May 27, Iron County will reflect on the sacrifices made and lives lost by Americans in service to their country.
Ceremonies will take place Memorial Day morning at cemeteries around the county, led by the West Side and East Side Veterans councils.
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 Avenue and marching into Evergreen Memorial Cemetery ceremony area. Guest speaker will be Bob Black. Following the invocation by Vicki Prewitt, the Forest Park Band will perform the National Anthem.
The Memorial Day Address will then be given by Bob Black.
Bob lives in Crystal Falls with his wife Tina and grandson Tristan. He is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, American Legion Post 87, VFW Auxiliary Post #2891, and Free & Accepted Mason Lodge 385. He currently serves as Sergeant of Arms with the American Legion Riders Chapter 21. Bob served on the Alpha Mastodon Fire Department for 17 years and has marched in the Memorial Day services many times.
Bob is a well known volunteer and promoter in Iron County. He assists in fundraisers, festivities and any projects that benefit Iron County citizens and businesses. Bob is the originator of the Alpha Bluesfest that went on during the years 2012-2019. He enjoys music, people and helping out anyone with a positive idea to benefit others.
Bob is a former Iron County Chamber of Commerce Director, Realtor and school bus driver. He served on the Iron County Board of Commissioners during the years 2004-2010.
Bob is a former Martial Artist, MMA licensed judge and MMA announcer. Some of Bob’s hobbies include Civil War History, genealogy and visiting National cemeteries. Bob Black’s diversity, interests and accomplishments make him the perfect choice as Iron County’s 2024 Memorial Day guest speaker!
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 Vicki Prewitt.
Should inclement weather prevail, the services will be held inside the Eddie Chambers Memorial Gym starting at 9:30 a.m.
Stambaugh: Members of the American Legion Reino Post 21 will place flags on the graves of veterans in the Stambaugh Cemetery on Sunday, May 26 at 9 a.m.
The program on Memorial Day May 27, starts at 10:30 a.m. Senior Master Sergeant USAF (Retired) Marie Brunswick will be the emcee.
Members of the Caspian-Gaastra Fire Department will raise the flag.
Linda Nasser and Linda Johnson, members of the American Legion Reino Unit 21 Auxiliary will place a wreath on a cross in honor of all deceased veterans.
Our first speaker is Robert T. Cole. He joined the U.S. Army in 2005, trained as a U.S. Cavalry Scout at Fort Knox Kentucky. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Cole was deployed with 1-4 Cavalry regiment as part of a troop surge to Baghdad, Iraq in 2007. He received two Purple Hearts for his involvement during the surge. He was medically discharged from the Army due to wounds he received in combat in 2010. He is a member of the American Legion Reino Post 21.
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. 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 Forces 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 10 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 service will be held at Caspian Gaastra Fire Department.
The American Legion Reino Post 21 will be conducting a Memorial Day Service at the Iron River Care Center at 2 p.m. ~ All are welcome.
Bates Township: The Memorial Day service at the Bates Township Cemetery will start at 8 - 8:30 a.m. The Veterans of Foreign War Ottawa Post 3134 and West Side Veterans Council will provide the flag raising and color guard.
Invocation and benediction will be given by Pastor Corey Shankleton of Northgate Church in Bates Township.
The guest speakers will be Jesse Casari, Master Sergeant, United States Army retired in 2007 with 20 years service and Esther Casari, Major, United States Army retired in 2017 with 21 years of service.
Vocalist will be Jessica Thibodeau and accompanied by Kaylee Hernandez. Roll call will be recited by Moria & Elijah Shankleton and Elle, Evan & June Thibodeau.
Refreshments will be served following the ceremony at the Bates Township Hall hosted by the Bates Hall Preservation Society.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony takes place 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 Gracyn Melstrom, musical presentation by Krista Gussert and Gary Friestrom.
Memorial Day address will be given by Jim Brennan, Navy Veteran and introduced by Pat Turner, after which the roll call will be given by 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.
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 the West Side Veterans 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. Master of Ceremonies will be Darin Long, Retired Navy Veteran.
Erika Sauter will be singing the National Anthem.
Speakers will be Jesse Casari, Master Sergeant, United States Army retired in 2007 with 20 years service and Congressman Jack Bergman, U.S. Marine Corp Veteran, retired.
The president of American Legion Auxiliary Post 17 Auxiliary 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 will be Esther Casari, Major, United States Army retired in 2017 with 21 years of service.
Military Rites will be presented by the West Side Veterans.
There will be a ceremony in Alvin, Wisconsin following the Resthaven Cemetery program at noon.
Alvin: Ceremonies in Alvin will be held at the Lake View Cemetery starting at 11:30 a.m. Master of Ceremonies will be Debbie Hinton.
The Program will include the laying of the wreath by Sue Landerman (widow of an U.S. Army Veteran). Pledge of allegiance.
Roll call will be read by Alton Culver, U.S. Marine Corp.
A color guard volley military salute by the West Side Veterans of Iron River.
Community potluck to follow at Alvin Town Hall.