ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Monday morning, the Ishpeming community honored its fallen. Members of local veterans organizations presented the colors, remembering hundreds of Ishpeming citizens who served, while focusing attention on those that gave their lives for this country.
“Small town America has always provided a majority of our military forces,” said Michigan Army National Guard Veteran and Member of American Legion Post 114, Tom Perry. “If you look around, we’ve put out about 1,900 flags on all the veterans graves at the Ishpeming cemetery.
During the ceremony, a bell was tolled for each of the 44 men from the Ishpeming area killed in the line of duty across five different wars. Around 100 people showed up to respect and honor these lives lost.
“The people that come out today to witness this program understand the price that was paid,” said Perry. “These veterans gave their lives so we could live free and sleep safe in our bed at night. We appreciate it, and everyone else should too.”
This week also marks three months since the roof collapsed at the Ishpeming V.F.W. Post 4573. As of now, an unfortunate fate has been decided.
“We are going to tear it down,” said V.F.W. Post 4573 member, Dennis Tonge. “With the cost, it’d be close to 1.5 million. It’s a shame, but things are moving on because of it.”
More details are still to come on the future of the organization.
