Local memorials planned to honor veterans on Memorial Day
ALPENA — Many families will celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with barbecues, mini-vacations, and completing projects around the house.
For others, they will remember and celebrate the loss of a friend or relative who was killed while serving in the armed forces.
To honor the fallen veterans, local veterans groups in Alpena will once again offer a series of memorials that will pay tribute and honor heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Unlike last year when only a small, invitation-only memorial ceremony was held due to social gathering restrictions, a public service and the traditional parade is slated for Monday in Alpena.
The Memorial Day celebration kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a ceremony outside the Alpena County Courthouse. Once completed, the traditional parade will begin. The parade route this year is slightly different than in years past because of local detours due to the construction of the Bagley Street bridge.
The new parade route begins at the county courthouse, and travels down 9th Avenue to Ripley Boulevard. It will move down Ripley a few blocks and then take Catherine Street to 11th Avenue until it reaches the small duck park. The parade will follow the bi-path to Little Flanders Field on Washington Avenue from there.
Along the way, there will be a brief ceremony on the edge of the Thunder Bay River to recognize soldiers who died at sea.
American Veterans, more commonly known as AMVETS, is one of the groups participating on Monday. Alpena Post 2497 spokesperson Jim Potrykus said he encourages residents in Alpena to show up to celebrate the lives of the lost, and, if people can’t make it, at least take a moment to reflect on what they gave for our country.
“In my mind, Memorial Day is the biggest holiday of the year,” Potrykus said. “During it, you pay respect to the veterans that lost their lives to give us all freedom. It really doesn’t get any more important than that.”
WEEKEND WEATHER
Memorial Day Weekend may be the unofficial start of summer, but the weather isn’t going to feel summer-like and temperatures won’t be as warm as they were earlier this week.
According to the National Weather Service, Friday and Saturday will only climb into the low to upper 50s, while Sunday it jumps to the low 60s. On Memorial Day, the high temperature is predicted to be about 66 degrees with no rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service Meteorologist in Gaylord Mike Boguth said although the area won’t have temperatures in the 70s or 80s, the weather will cooperate enough for people to celebrate outside. He said in the evening and morning they may want to wear a sweatshirt, sweater, or light jacket.
“Overall it isn’t going to be bad, a little cool, but a lot of sunshine and no rain,” he said. “With the sunshine, it will make the daytime highs feel warm, so it isn’t going to be too shabby.”
Overnight and early morning is when the coolest temperatures will show up, Boguth said.
There is a chance of frost Wednesday night through Saturday morning, especially inland from Lake Huron, he said. Those who have gardens planted may want to cover them to protect them.
GAS PRICES
According to AAA, Memorial Day Weekend is one of the year’s busiest travel times. A recent surge in gas prices though, could dampen some people’s plans and force people to stay closer to home.
Some people say they will bite the bullet, take more money out of their wallet and get out of town for the weekend.
Dan Wilcox, was putting gas in his truck at the Shell Station on Chisholm Street on Wednesday. He said he likes to bass fish on Memorial Day Weekend, but he isn’t sure he will because of the impact it will have on his wallet.
The price of gas in Alpena on Wednesday was $3.06 a gallon.
“It normally goes up a little before a holiday, but this was a pretty big jump,” Wilcox said. “I would have to fill the truck and boat with gas, then pay for all of the food and a place to stay, it would end up costing me hundreds of dollars. I’ll probably still go, but it is going to cost me more.”
Andrew Timmons, of Lachine, said his family is going camping at Harrisville State Park, and he knows the price of gas will make it more expensive.
He doesn’t care, he said, because camping with his family on the holiday weekend is tradition. Timmons added he believes the added cost of fuel won’t slow many people down from getting out and doing things they enjoy.
“We waited all winter for this, so we aren’t going to let an extra $20 or $30 stop us,” Timmons said. “We would just blow the money on something else if we stayed home anyway. Does it suck? Ya. But what are you going to do?”