Northland remembers its fallen veterans

Members of the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post 435 will kick off Memorial Day events by raising a flag in honor of all veterans at 9 a.m. today in front of the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. The ceremony is open to the public. In addition, veterans can enjoy free admission to the center Saturday through Monday.

On Monday, there will be a 9 a.m. Catholic memorial service at Calvary Cemetery. Area veterans will hold a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery Monday. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at the Elks Club, 1503 Belknap St. Speakers at the event will include Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs and Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen. Members of the Thunder Bay Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans Unit 257 will also take part in the ceremony.

The Superior Singers, directed by Brian MacDonell, will present their patriotic summer concert “Homeland” at 1 p.m. Monday at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. The concert, a musical tribute to the country and the people who have made it great, is free and open to the public.

Douglas County ceremonies

The Bong-Hofstad American Legion Post 409 will conduct Memorial Day services at the following cemeteries on Monday: 9 a.m. at Lakeside, 9:30 a.m. in Maple, 10 a.m. in Blueberry, 10:30 a.m. at Brule, 11 a.m. at Highland, 11:30 a.m. in Lake Nebagamon, noon at Hawthorne and 12:30 p.m. in Poplar. Post members will muster at 8:30 a.m. at Mother’s Kitchen in Poplar.

Spooner Veterans Cemetery

A Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. This theme this year is “The Year of the Veteran: For Those who have Fallen, Those who will Fall, and Those who will March On.” Veterans, their families, and the public are invited to attend.

Brigadier General Scott D. Legwold is the keynote speaker. U.S. Congressman Sean Duffy who represents Wisconsin’s District 7 is a featured speaker. The cemetery is located at N4063 Veterans Way just off Highway 53, three miles south of Spooner.

Bong documentary airs

“Forever Ace: Wisconsin’s Forgotten Hero Richard Bong” will air Monday night on Wisconsin Public Radio stations KUWS-FM (91.3) and in Ashland on WUWS-FM (90.9) at 7 p.m.

“Forever Ace” is narrated by Wisconsin Public Radio’s Jim Packard. It compiles 10 years of interviews by WPR Superior bureau reporter Mike Simonson and his WPR colleagues. Bong’s wingman, tent mate and crew chief during his service in the South Pacific are interviewed, as are friends and members of his family. In addition, historians from the United States Air Force Academy and the Australian War Museum also talk about the significance of the time Bong served in World War II and the legacy he leaves even today.

It includes popular Big Band music from World War II and vintage audio clips of Richard Bong when he was on stateside leave. “Forever Ace” runs one hour and 45 minutes.

Major Richard Bong shot down more enemy aircraft than any other U.S. fighter pilot in history. His record of 40 kills has never been equaled by any American pilot.

The documentary can also be heard online by going to www.kuws.fm. It includes a “Forever Ace” webpage with pictures and maps, and the script and a download of the program.

Tags: news, veterans, military, family