Community Gathers to Remember, Honor Fallen Veterans

HARRISON – A large crowd gathered Monday, May 30 to mark Memorial Day at Veterans Freedom Park in Harrison, a town filled with fiercely patriotic citizens. The service began with the laying of memorial wreaths, followed by speakers from all ranks and branches of service, and veterans organizations who each recalled their personal experiences with lives lost in wartime. They included Karl Hauser, director of Veterans Services in Clare County; Scott Taylor, commander of VFW Post 1075; Pat Loafman, commander of American Legion Post 404; Kerri Bosley Kruckeberg, U.S. Army UH-60M Blackhawk instructor pilot based in Grand Ledge, Michigan; Renee Haley, president of the Veterans Freedom Park Committee; and Maye Tessner-Rood, coordinator of the VFP Statue Project.

The service closed with an Honor Guard flag-folding ceremony, explaining the meaning behind each of the 13 folds. That was followed by the unveiling of the park’s final bronze statue, which honors all those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a particular moment, to see a strong bronze woman pilot with the steel Rosie the Riveter in the background.

Reporter’s Note: How far women have come in this nation: from push brooms to boardrooms, from lunchbox laborer to Blackhawk pilot. And now, ensconced as the proud representative of those women serving in harm’s way in modern day military conflicts. Well done, Rosie. Well done, all.