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The Parade was led off by a
Color Guard contingent from various Veteran Posts and Groups in the
area. |
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Michigan National Guard, 107th
Engineers, returned last year from a combat tour in Iraq. Parts of
the Upper Peninsula 107th will be redeployed to active duty in July. |
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Calumet High School Junior
R.O.T.C. |
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Hancock High School Junior
R.O.T.C. |
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One of Portage Coast Guard's
patrol vessels. |
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Chassell V.F.W. Post 6507.
Grand Marshall for this years Parade of thanks is WWII Veteran Ray
Kotaniemi, of Laurium. He became a P.O.W. during the December, 1944
Battle of the Bulge, in Belgium. |
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Other WWII Vets are honored by
the crowd. |
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One of many floats honoring our
Armed Services and the people who serve our Country, in both war and
peace. |
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This year, the Parade of thanks
focuses on those who have served in the Medical Corps in past
conflicts, and currently. |
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This float, honoring both
professional and non-professional healthcare persons who serve in
the military, was constructed by nearly 60 students from nine area
High Schools. |
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A highlight was the appearance
of former Army Nurse Lt. Theresa Hall, who served in WWII. |
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This 1930s, 1940s era restored
ambulance, served the Calumet & Heckla Hospital on Calumet Avenue, a
predecessor of Keweenaw Memorial Healthcare. |
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The Calumet Elks Club provided
this float, showing their support of our Armed Services. |
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A nicely restored Willys Jeep,
circa WWII, by former Marines Judy and Paul Smigowski, of Tamarack. |
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Keweenaw Marine Detachment 1016
Veterans. |
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The Mattila Family, had nine
brothers who served. Only two families in the U.P. had as many or
more serving (during WWII). The Elmer Kangas family, of Gwinn (9),
and the Leonard Carley family, of Cooks (10), according to Historian
Larry Chabot ("The U.P. Goes to War"). |
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The Superior Pipes and Drums ,
for more info: superiorpipes.org |
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One of many floats in this
years Parade. |
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Area youngsters spiff up their
bikes. |
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The Elm River Eagles fly the
Colors. |
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Jeffers High School Pep Band. |
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One of several musical groups. |
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These families have loved ones
currently serving. |
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Ron Rhea, of the Office Shop,
in Calumet, commissioned this replica statue of the Statue of
Liberty, (also shown in insert at right). |
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The Parade of Thanks / Freedom
Rally is presented and organized by the Keweenaw Care Corps. Dennis
Korby (hat) is responsible for much of the organizing. A Freedom
Rally was later held at Kestner Park. |
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[ Photos & Digital Imaging: Roland Burgan ]
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