Island Residents and Tourists Honor Fallen Soldiers
By Sean Ely

Maria Spranger, lead interpreter for Historic Downtown Mackinac Island buildings, places a wreath in the Post Cemetery. It was donated by Joan Slater and placed on the gravesite of Captain John Clitz, who was in command of Fort Mackinac before he died in November 1836.

Those who died in battle while serving the United States were honored during Memorial Day services on Mackinac Island Sunday, May 27, and Monday, May 28.

Ceremonies were held at Veterans Memorial Park, Fort Mackinac, the Post Cemetery, Trinity Church, Little Stone Church, and Ste. Anne's Church.

"The men and women who went into the service of our country during the 1940s were blessed with a spirit of almost unanimous support, and that I count as a major factor in achieving the ultimate success for that service," WWII veteran William Porter said at Veterans Memorial Park. "The goal of that war was described in two simple words: 'Unconditional surrender.' Reaching that demanding goal, that clearly stated goal, was made possible by the almost total destruction of two nations. That was the price of freedom. Please don't ever forget it."

The empty helmet, rifle, dog tags, and boots symbolize those who have given their lives in service to the country. Mayor Margaret Doud speaks to a crowd on Memorial Day in Veterans Memorial Park. Also pictured (from left) are "Smi" Horn and Ben Horn.

More than 150 people crowded around the flagpole at Veterans Memorial Park for the late-morning service. Also speaking were Mayor Margaret Doud, Armand (Smi) Horn, Paul Wandrie, and the Reverend Vincent Carroll. Each spoke about the importance of Memorial Day and the significance of continuing the tradition of recognizing those who served the country.

"It's a very moving time, and it's a time for us to reflect and remember the men and women, especially from Mackinac Island, who gave the ultimate sacrifice," Mayor Doud said. "I think that it's an honor to be part of the ceremony and to remember the men and women that served the whole country, because, without them, we would not be great."

Mr. Wandrie, commander of the Mackinac Island American Legion post, said the importance of Memorial Day is not that it is a holiday but that it is about remembering those who died.

"Today is the day that we remember all military personnel that have died in defense of the United States of America," he said. "We should teach our children and grandchildren the meaning of Memorial Day. They should realize it is not just a day off from school. It is the day that we celebrate those lives lost that have made this nation great. Show them the memorials in your hometown. Mackinac Island residents will always remember our men that were killed in action."

Spectators and those taking part in the ceremony said the park was an ideal spot for a Memorial Day ceremony, with its surrounding greenery, blue skies, and historic monuments.

"The park is a living tribute to the men and women who served our country from the Island, and it reminds us everyday that we look at the memorial and what they did for our freedom," Mayor Doud said.

"The simplicity of the whole park is wonderful, very impressive, and not overly showy," said visitor Virginia Garlind. "It reminds us that we should remember our men and women."

Mrs. Garlind and her husband, Richard, were very inspired by Mr. Porter's speech on defeating the enemy, helping to rebuild after their loss, and honoring those who made it all possible.

I was very impressed with Bill Porter and what he had to say," Mr. Garlind said. "It was very touching. Everyone needs to hear that time and time again."

The two were in town for the first time since 2003. They have been here more than 10 times before, but they were excited to see veteran John T. Wilson's name which was engraved in one of the bricks on the ground in the park.

"I grew up with John," Mr. Garlind said. "I was the best man at his wedding. We are here at the Cable Cottage visiting his wife, Jane. It is all very special today. Seeing all of this makes it truly worth it."

Mr. Horn, who helped create the park, explained his sentiments.

"I never went into the service," he said, "but my good friend and I were going to school in St. Ignace back in 1950 and we woke up one morning and he said, 'I'm going to Detroit and join the army, do you want to come with me?' I said, 'No, I'm going to stay home and get married.' Johnny left and got killed in Korea. This is one of the big reasons for all of this, plus, when I was a kid and all the soldiers and Marines and personnel came back from World War II, my grandfather had the Palm Café down here and everybody who came back could come in and have anything to eat or drink that they wanted. They always had a big party for them. Most of them are all my friends and still are. We just ask to remember them."

Mackinac State Historic Parks organized its march from the rear entrance to Fort Mackinac along Garrison Road to the Post Cemetery, where soldiers performed their annual ceremony, with salute, wreathlaying, and gun-firing. Interpreters were equipped with uniforms from the U.S. Army 23rd Regiment of Infantry, which served at Fort Mackinac in the 1880s.

"We've done this now for six or seven years and it really started as just something that we wanted to do at Fort Mackinac with our staff to keep the tradition of remembering Memorial Day on the Island at this particular cemetery," said Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks. "It's sort of like the soldiers of today remembering and paying homage to the soldiers of the past. Over the years it has grown, and we really welcome the people to come and join us."

"It's a very simple and modest event," he continued, "but it's really meaningful, particularly for the people who partake in it."

This year, Joan Slater and her family donated a wreath in memory of her father, Bob Slater, a veteran of WWII who served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps in the south Pacific. The wreath was placed at the gravesite of Captain John Clitz, who was in command of Fort Mackinac when he died of a lingering illness in November 1836.

With more than 30 people watching the ceremony at the cemetery, the wreath was gently placed at Mr. Clitz's gravesite before the seven interpreters fired shots into the woods in honor of all the fallen U.S. soldiers.

"I thought it was very touching," said visitor Linde Flanders, a native of Fort Bellefontaine in St. Louis, Missouri. "I think it's a great idea that we have to look back on our history to find out where we are today. It's a wonderful thing, and I just think it's nice that people remember the others that have gone before them and done their duty."

The well-kept Post Cemetery, a remnant of the old federal military reservation on Mackinac Island, drew praise from visitors following the soldiers to the ceremony.

"It's really a wonderful cemetery, and it's one of the historic sites on Mackinac Island," Mr. Porter said. "That means a lot to us to maintain it and it's very simple, very elegant, very beautiful, we don't overdo it in anyway. We are also very fortunate to receive money from the Veterans Administration. They give us maintenance money every year to keep this cemetery up, and that's really appreciated. It allows us to keep the headstones clean and the fences maintained. It looks almost identical to photos of it from 100 years ago, so it means a lot to us to keep it in this very traditional appearance."

Simplicity is an idea that can be used to describe many locations on Mackinac Island, with the cemetery being one of them as well.

"It's a beautiful place on the Island," said Pat Majher, public relations and marketing officer of Mackinac State Historic Parks. "The cemetery is maintained. It has all of the flags and it is a place of honor and also a place of quiet and solitude, a place where you can reflect. It's good to see that other people are interested in making this day a memorable one for the reason it was established."

Ste. Anne's Catholic, Trinity Episcopal, and Little Stone Congregational churches held services honoring the veterans of the U.S. during and after their Sunday services. A blessing of the graves took place after the 10 a.m. mass at Ste. Anne's Church. Trinity Church recognized all the deceased in the memories of all who attended. Little Stone Church, with its first service of the season, began with a special procession of flags, a wreath, and music.