News Photos by Steve Schulwitz Dick Raquepow plays taps at the end of a private Memorial Day ceremony in Alpena Monday. The large ceremony was canceled due to the threat of coronavirus, its local veteran groups still paid tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes with the permission of the City of Alpena.

ALPENA — Our nation’s fallen heroes were honored and remembered in Alpena in a non-traditional way on Memorial Day.

The annual ceremony held at Little Flander’s field was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19, but a small group of local veteran groups met at the cemetery Monday for a brief tribute to those who died preserving our freedom and that of others.

The City of Alpena granted the groups permission for the small event, which required masks and social distancing. It kicked off with a short address by Marine Chaplain Bill Romstadt, and also wrapped up the ceremony with a prayer.

At the event’s conclusion, there was a rifle salute by the honor guard and an emotional playing of taps, before the small crowd dispersed.

Alpena County Veterans Council President James Potrykus said he is saddened that the large ceremony couldn’t be held this year. He said the annual parade, placing of the wreaths and guest speaker are staples of Memorial Day in Alpena, but being able to have a small, short event is better than nothing.

Marine Chaplain Bill Romstadt gave a short address to the small crowd who attended a private Memorial Day ceremony Monday. The large, public event was canceled until next year.

“We would have loved to have our normal Memorial Day ceremony with all of the events, because we love to do that,” he said. “We had to call that off, but it was still critical that we do a small, simple memorial for our veterans who died for us.”

Potrykus said many people think of a three day holiday weekend as a time to spend with family and friends for barbeques and time at the cottage. Many acknowledge Memorial Day Weekend as the kick-off of summer. He said remembering those who sacrificed it all to preserve the freedom to do such things is a simple gesture. He said the annual ceremony that takes place was not only a remembrance to the fallen, it also served as a reminder to people of what the true meaning of the holiday is.

“Normally the annual parade down Washington Avenue draws people along the streets, families who come out of their home, with their kids to see us come by and I think that helps them understand we need to honor our veterans,” he said. “There’s more to the holiday than the barbeque and going up north for three days. It reminds everybody of the serious cost it was for many men and women to give us the freedom to be able to enjoy these things.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.

An honor guard did a rifle salute at the end of a private Memorial Day ceremony Monday to pay respect to those who lost their lives preserving freedom.