IRON MOUNTAIN – Legion Post 50 on River Avenue celebrated Frank Perino, a lifelong resident of Iron Mountain, for his remarkable 70 years of continuous membership and service. Perino, a United States Army grader operator during the Korean War, was instrumental in building airports and runways.
Surrounded by his family and friends, Perino received a heartfelt certificate from the Post Commander and Adjutant. “This was a surprise for me, you know. I didn’t expect anything,” Perino remarked. “Well, I got out of the service. My dad asked me to join, because he was a member here. So that’s when I got into the Legion.”
The event also celebrated Perino’s 96th birthday, which he’ll officially reach the following Monday. Reflecting on his life, Perino shared, “Next Monday I’ll be 96. Whoever thought? I thought I would go before my wife.”
He commented on the changes he had seen in the Upper Peninsula, “The U.P. has changed quite a bit, buildings and stuff like that, you know.” Recalling his service, he said, “I was a grader operator in Korea. It was different, quite a bit different. All kinds of people that I know in the army even have gone, passed away.”
Perino advised young people to “join the army” and encouraged those already serving to “keep it up.” He emphasized the need for more recruits, saying, “We need them. They’re having a hard time with recruits coming in, you know. I think they should go back to the draft.”
Reflecting on his own service, Perino added, “I was in for 39 years, it’s a different story.”
