IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Iron Mountain hosted its Memorial Day parade and service this morning, bringing the community together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Denise Formolo, the Dickinson County Veteran Service Officer, introduced this year’s guest speaker to the gathered crowd. Andy Mendini, North Elementary School Principal and a U.S. Army Persian Gulf War and Army National Guard veteran, delivered a poignant speech emphasizing the importance of involving the younger generations in remembrance on this holiday.
“It is through their hands and hearts that the legacy of our fallen heroes is preserved and passed on. Each flag represents a story of courage and sacrifice. Each one marks the resting place of a veteran, who stepped forward when our nation called,” Mendini remarked.
Mendini, a teacher in the community for over 23 years, has started the tradition of involving 5th graders in placing over two thousand flags on veterans’ graves in the Iron Mountain Cemetery. He expressed that it is a privilege to honor the fallen as part of the community.
Formolo also commended the youth and graduating seniors who participated in the service, noting the significance of their involvement on their day off. “I’d like to thank all the participants for coming out, and I’d like to thank all of you for coming to the program. Every single United States citizen has been impacted by someone who has sacrificed it all in service to our country,” Formolo stated in closing the Memorial Day service. She asked everyone to take a moment of silence to honor the sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.
