Leelanau Township Cemetery held a Memorial Day service featuring veteran speakers, the Northport Community Band, Village Voices, and Scout Troop 131 to honor those who have died while serving in the armed forces.
The Memorial Day service began with the Northport Community Band and the high school band playing “Taps.” After the song, Suttons Bay Scout Troop 131 presented and raised the flag to half-staff. This brought Stef Staley, the event’s emcee, to gather everyone for the National Anthem, played by the community band, along with the Village Voice and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pastor Jerry Lange from Northport Evangelical Covenant Church led an invocation in which he honored those who have fallen in combat.
“Today, we remember one great asset, and that is the heroes who have fallen in many conflicts,” Lange said. “The Bible says that some old heroes, although they are dead, still speak, and these people that we remember and honor today have fallen, but still speak.”
After an armed forces salute that honored living veterans in attendance, guest speaker and Leelanau Township resident Paul Rebori began his speech, titled “Remember the Fallen, Honor Them, Be Their Voice.”
“On this day, Memorial Day, we do not celebrate; to do so would be in poor form,” Rebori said. “Today is a day to honor, to reflect, and to remember our fallen.”
Rebori reminded those in attendance that those who serve gave up their freedom and could be sent into an armed conflict at any time.
“Whether the brave men and women serving in the military lose their lives in conflict or training, we owe our freedom, rights, and privileges to them,” he said.
Rebori was a sergeant in the Marine Corps, serving as a paratrooper and forward observer in the second and third Marine divisions.
After Rebori, Pastor Lange gave a Benediction, followed by Village Voices singing “Go in Peace and Love.” Staley followed with closing remarks before the community band finished the service by playing “Amazing Grace” and “Washington Post March.”
Leelanau County Veterans Memorial in Suttons Bay saw at least one hundred people for Monday’s service.
Gene Kelly provided the opening comments, followed by Jim Simmons completing the placement of the wreath, and Lauren Cypher sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Vickie Hays, a Gold Star mother, spoke, and Simmons gave a speech regarding veterans and freedom.
Congressman Jack Bergman, a Vietnam veteran, was the keynote speaker.
Jim Simons (left) and Greg Mikowski (right) doing the placement of the wreath during a Memorial Day service at Leelanau county Veterans Memorial in Suttons Bay. Enterprise photos by Brian Freiberger
