Courtesy Photo/St. Ignace News This 1998 photo from the St. Ignace News archives shows then-Mackinac Bridge Authority Executive Director Hank Lotoszinski shaking hands with Northeast Michigander Dan Gilmet after he was the 100-millionth driver to cross the Mackinac Bridge.

MACKINAW CITY — The five-mile, 64-year-old Mackinac Bridge spanning Michigan’s Lower and Upper peninsulas offers a variety of interesting stories.

At least twice, aircraft flew under the bridge, just above the water line: A 2020 flight involved a private aircraft, while the other was a U.S. Air Force six-engine B-47 nuclear bomber.

In 1989 came the tragic story of a Royal Oak resident’s small Yugo subcompact caught by a wind gust, lifting the small vehicle over the bridge’s cable system and into the waters 200 feet below.

In 1965, near the bridge, the Rogers City-based S.S. Cedarville was struck by the Norwegian freighter MV Topdalsfjord. The Cedarville sank in the Straits of Mackinac. Ten lives perished.

In recent times, a horse-drawn covered wagon arrived at the bridge and was escorted across by the Bridge Authority.

A significant Northeast Michigan connection occurred on a sunny and warm June 25, 1998. It was the weekend of the annual St. Ignace classic car show.

Presque Isle County resident Daniel J. Gilmet was preparing to cross the bridge on his 1981 lowrider Harley Davidson motorcycle. Accompanying Gilmet, also on a motorcycle, was Jim Smith. They were heading to northern Wisconsin.

It was Gilmet’s birthday.

It was nearing 5:15 p.m. and Gilmet was in the lead, preparing to enter the toll booth row located on the Upper Peninsula side.

“All of a sudden at the booth, a siren blared, and a massive group began to converge on me,” Gilmet said. “I thought I was under arrest — but for what?”

He quickly learned that, since the driver of a 1951 Chevrolet first crossed the bridge on Nov. 1, 1957, he was the 100-millionth vehicle crossing the Might Mac.

Surrounded by Bridge Authority representatives, print and electronic media, as well as local dignitaries, he received complimentary hotel accommodations, meals and beverages, passes to tourism sites, golf and recreation passes, and related awards.

“They even returned my $1 motorcycle bridge toll,” Gilmet said.

He still retains that dollar.

Gilmet and Smith headed west of St. Ignace on U.S. Route 2. They overnighted in Naubinway. After registering at a motel, they walked up the street to a nearby restaurant and tavern. They arrived in time for the local television news broadcast. On the television screens was the coverage of Gilmet at the bridge.

Patrons began to turn their heads as they recognized Gilmet.

“The beer and comments begin to flow, along with a massive photo shoot,” Gilmet said.

The following July 18, Gilmet exchanged wedding vows with his wife, Brenda. Their subsequent Upper Peninsula honeymoon was fully laid out for them courtesy of the Bridge Authority recognition. Gilmet and his new bride stated it was a fabulous honeymoon.

In the months to follow, Gilmet and Smith returned to the bridge to partake in one of the awards, a trip to the top of the bridge.

In a small elevator, located at the north tower, they worked their way to the top. When the elevator stopped, they entered a series of small door hatches and ladders, working their way to the bridge’s top, more than 500 feet above the water line.

“The winds were low and vistas incredible,” Gilmet said.

The return elevator trip began well. However, the elevator stopped short of its final stop. Gilmet, Smith, and their escorts began a challenging trek exiting through a series of ladders in a dimly lit tunnel. On their way down, they noted interior wall graffiti created decades ago by bridge construction crews.

As years passed, Gilmet and his wife made frequent Upper Peninsula trips. On one such trip, a Bridge Authority toll booth employee quickly recognized him.

Gilmet, a retired Stoneport employee, quipped, “It was indeed my precious 15 minutes of fame.”

Bridge Authority awaits the opportunity, in the near future, to recognize the 200-millionth vehicle to cross the Mighty Mac.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic features and op-eds. He resides in suburban Detroit.