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Memorial Day parade will conclude with ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery

By Ilene Haluska
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — There will be something for everyone on Memorial Day this year, starting as early at 7:30 a.m.

The annual Memorial Day Parade begins with the line up at Pytynia Parkway and Franklin Street near Ames Field. More than 30 entrants will travel north on Franklin Street to Decatur Street, then east on Decatur Street to Greenwood Cemetery.

Bob Hocke, American Legion Adjutant for the John Franklin Miller Post No. 37, said compared to the Fourth of July parade, the Memorial Day parade is not as long, but could last up to an hour by the time it ends at Greenwood Cemetery.

“We do provide seating for the band and honor guard,” Hocke said of the cemetery program, but the audience needs to bring their own chairs.

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Richard D’Arcangelis, an instructor with the Michigan City Area Schools and band director of the Michigan City Municipal Band, said a concert featuring patriotic music starts a half hour before the 11 a.m. ceremonies begin, but people may arrive and set up at 10 a.m.

“The concert band also plays during the ceremony,” D’Arcangelis said. “We play the Star Spangled Banner, featuring soloist Paul Hannon, and we have two trumpeters, Rick Carlson and Dave Tyson, who play Taps.

“It’s annual, I’ve done it for 12 years and several years before that,” D’Arcangelis said, noting that he has been affiliated with the band for more than 30 years.

“We started a new song last year, the ‘Armed Forces Salute Melody,’ and people enjoyed it for honoring different forces of veterans,” he added.

Anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day Parade may call (219) 879-9801 with the name of the group or come to the parade assembly site at Ames Field and mark your vehicle with your organization’s name.

“The more the merrier,” Hocke said.

In case of rain, the parade would be canceled and everyone would be encouraged to gather at the Edward Skwiat Post 451, which is located at 121 Skwiat Legion Ave., Michigan City, for an indoor version of the Greenwood Cemetery Program.

After the ceremony, the public is also invited to a service at St. Mary The Immaculate Conception Parish, 411 W 11th St., Michigan City, after the ceremony.

“Normally the mass is at St Stans, but it will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 10th St. this year,” Hocke said.

Recently appointed County Service Officer George Watkins is the guest speaker. Hocke said Watkins has “a pretty important job for veterans.”

Funded by La Porte County, Watkins duties include helping and assisting the veterans of the county. The former service officer, John Wantuch, recently retired from the position, he said.

Last year’s keynote speaker was Rebecca Polzin, station chief of the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan City Station. She was the first woman to make a keynote speech, Hocke said.

Memorial Day Events

- 7:30 a.m. Swan Lake Cemetery, American Legion Post 37, salute at Memorial Circle

- 8 a.m. Washington Park: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2536, salute at Spanish American War Memorial, salute at Danny Bruce Memorial, salute at WWI Doughboy Monument and salute at Peace Circle Monument.

- 8:30 a.m. Franklin Street Bridge: U.S. Coast Guard Station 274, Cadet Girl Scout Troop 331 honor Naval dead; Veteran’s of Foreign War Post 2536, salute at Franklin St. Bridge and Taps.

- 9 a.m. St. Mary’s Memorial: American Legion Post 451, salute at St. Mary’s Memorial; Scott Memorial Park, Gardena Playground, Gardena Ave.: Daughter of American Veterans Chapter 23, wreath at Scott Memorial; American Legion Post 37, salute at Scott Memorial.

- 10 a.m. Parade starting at Pytynia Parkway and Ames Field marching north on Franklin Street to Decatur Street and then east on Decatur Street to Greenwood Cemetery.

- 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Michigan City Municipal Band at the GAR Monument in Greenwood Cemetery.

- 11 a.m. Introduction, Ron Pitman, Commander of the John Franklin Miller Post 37: Michigan City USMC Jr. ROTC Color Guard, National Anthem, Invocation, recognition and thank you’s to veterans groups, General Logan’s Memorial Order, the playing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and placing of wreaths, the Address by George Watkins, Commander of the American Legion Post 83 La Porte County Service Officer, Performance of “Nearer My God to Thee,” Salute of the Fallen Heroes, Taps, Benediction JR ROTC colors and closing comments by Ron Pitman, Commander American Legion Post 37.

- Noon: Mass at St. Mary, The Immaculate Conception Parish, 411 W 11th St., Michigan City,immediately after the ceremony.

- 11 a.m. Mass celebrated at St. Stanislaus Cemetery; American Legion Post 451 fires salute after mass. Public invited.

- 1 p.m. Nelson Park, Trail Creek, Veteran’s of Foreign War 2536, salute at Nelson Park.

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Today is the day we remember those who may the ultimate sacrifice for us, and never made it home after defending our freedoms and ideals. Also it is a great day to remember all of those who are still in harms way in all corners of the globe. We thank you for your service and pray for your safe return.

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Marines whose lives were saved by Bruce represented at ceremony

Steve Eik, one of the Marines whose life was saved by the heroism of Medal Of Honor recipient Danny Bruce, Saturday morning morning hands a brick to Carol Will, Danny's widow, to install in the Walk of Honor at Prairie Meadow Park in Westville. Danny's daughter Stacey Nolan, stands behind her mother. Photo by Gabrielle Gonzalez
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, May 27, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Two Steves – Steve Eik, who now lives in the mountains of North Carolina and Steve Fletcher, who lives in Sutherlin, Oregon, and a Ron – Ron Hammonds, who survived a near-encounter-in-a fox-hole-with a bomb, but later died, nominated their 18-year-old buddy Danny Bruce, for the Medal Honor and his country so-honored him.

Danny died March 1, 1969, in Vietnam after literally catching and running with a bomb in Vietnam, thus saving the two Steves and Ron.

Steve Eik, who describes himself as “totally disabled,” said he loves spending time with his dogs these days in his beloved mountains. He speaks quietly and places a gentle arm around those who seem to need a bit of comforting.

A former corrections officer who worked himself up to captain, he now is retired and living in Sutherlin, Oregon. He gives bear hugs to those in need and laughs a bit like Santa, although his hair is as dark as Santa’s is white.

Danny’s daughter, Stacey Nolan, said it was a surprise to find that one of the fellows whose lives her father saved is in corrections because she is as well. She works as head of the disciplinary committee at the Indiana State Pison here.

Both Steves said Danny frequently talked about home and about how much he missed Michigan City and especially his wife Carol who was expecting their baby – Stacey.

Ron Hammonds, the third man whose life was saved, was represented at the reunion weekend by his two brothers, the Rev. David Hammonds, pastor of the Adams Boulevard Church of Christ in Bartlet, Oklahoma and Jeffery Hammonds, a high school English teacher in Oregon.

“I have to watch myself when I talk with or e-mail Jeffery,” said Ron’s daughter, Shannon Wells, Madisonville, Texas. “I don’t want to make mistakes. He’s an English teacher after all.”

More seriously, she said it has been a privilege to meet Stacey, Danny’s daughter, who is just a couple of years older than Shannon.

“If it hadn’t been for her father, I wouldn’t even be here today,” said the mother and grandmother.

Everyone who attended the event said they are grateful for the opportunity. They are grateful to those who organized it and for those who contributed to make it possible for them to be together on the same weekend.

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http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/05/29...8c667488925.txt

Marines whose lives were saved by Bruce represented at ceremony

By Deborah Sederberg
Staff writer
Published: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 4:59 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Two Steves – Steve Eik, who now lives in the mountains of North Carolina and Steve Fletcher, who lives in Sutherlin, Oregon, and a Ron – Ron Hammonds, who survived a near-encounter-in-a fox-hole-with a bomb, but later died, nominated their 18-year-old buddy Danny Bruce, for the Medal Honor and his country so-honored him.

Danny died March 1, 1969, in Vietnam after literally catching and running with a bomb in Vietnam, thus saving the two Steves and Ron.

Steve Eik, who describes himself as “totally disabled,” said he loves spending time with his dogs these days in his beloved mountains. He speaks quietly and places a gentle arm around those who seem to need a bit of comforting.

A former corrections officer who worked himself up to captain, he now is retired and living in Sutherlin, Oregon. He gives bear hugs to those in need and laughs a bit like Santa, although his hair is as dark as Santa’s is white.

Danny’s daughter, Stacey Nolan, said it was a surprise to find that one of the fellows whose lives her father saved is in corrections because she is as well. She works as head of the disciplinary committee at the Indiana State Prison here.

Both Steves said Danny frequently talked about home and about how much he missed Michigan City and especially his wife Carol who was expecting their baby – Stacey.

Ron Hammonds, the third man whose life was saved, was represented at the reunion weekend by his two brothers, the Rev. David Hammonds, pastor of the Adams Boulevard Church of Christ in Bartlet, Oklahoma and Jeffery Hammonds, a high school English teacher in Oregon.

“I have to watch myself when I talk with or e-mail Jeffery,” said Ron’s daughter, Shannon Wells, Madisonville, Texas. “I don’t want to make mistakes. He’s an English teacher after all.”

More seriously, she said it has been a privilege to meet Stacey, Danny’s daughter, who is just a couple of years older than Shannon.

“If it hadn’t been for her father, I wouldn’t even be here today,” said the mother and grandmother.

Everyone who attended the event said they are grateful for the opportunity. They are grateful to those who organized it and for those who contributed to make it possible for them to be together on the same weekend.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...8e411298287.txt

Michigan City honors vets with a parade

The Michigan City High School JROTC marches down the Michigan City Memorial Day Parade route on Monday. Photo by Deborah Sederberg
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Zacc Warner hardly noticed as Barb Wisthoff knelt before him to clean an almost-invisible spot from his white band shoes.

“She sees everything,” said, Zacc, a freshman who plays snare drum with the Michigan City High School Wolfpack Marching Band, referring to Wistoff, formerly president of the Band Boosters (now called the Music Boosters), and an experienced band mom. In a moment, she is on to other shoes in need of attention. Director Quincy Ford meanwhile took care of music while Music Boosters President Tammy Steinhagen took band pictures.

In moments, the band stepped off into Michigan City’s Memorial Day parade, along with American Legion Posts 37 and 451, the DAV, Danny Bruce Chapter, the Elks, the Moose Family Center 980 Parade and Show Corps, and many other units who made their way from just south of Ames Field to Decatur Street and then east to Greenwood Cemetery.

Like the band, the Moose Corp. and instructor Jennifer Ginther took a couple of minutes to sharpen up their baton skills.

Chris Coburn, a member of the Elks, was in the parade with her grandson, Austin Coburn, 9, a student at Marsh School. “He’s a junior Elk,” she said of Austin.

The Michigan City Marines Junior ROTC members practiced keeping shoulders back and eyes forward as they listened to marching orders as the group joined the parade.

What’s a parade without horses? The La Porte County 4-H Equestrian group provided a majestic sight for those who lined the parade route.

The Michigan City Police and Fire Departments participated in the parade and police officers helped to direct traffic as well.