News Photo by Temi Fadayomi Saint Paul Lutheran pastor John Shipman speaks in front of the memorial at the courthouse on Monday

ALPENA — Monday marked a day of remembrance in Alpena County during its annual Memorial Day ceremonies.

The event started at a memorial outside the Alpena County Courthouse where Saint Paul Lutheran Pastor John Shipman gave a speech recounting his time in the military and paying respects to those who have died in the line of duty.

After he finished his speech, Shipman began the Placing of Flowers ceremony which saw an individual place a flower in front of each memorial plaque for each war that was represented at the memorial.

There were eight flowers placed down representing those who died in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the Afghanistan/Iraq wars.

After the Placing of the Flowers concluded, a parade consisting of local military and veteran groups as well as the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts made its way down 9th Avenue and then along Washington Avenue along the Thunder Bay River.

Once at the river, respects were made to those who were lost at sea, and then a rifle salute was performed by the Honor Guard of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2496.

After paying their respects, the parade continued to Little Flanders Field for the last part of the ceremony.

Guest speaker Maj. Anthony Hylko gave a speech to a gathered crowd before the Placing of the Wreaths ceremony began.

Similar to the Placing of the Flowers, the Placing of the Wreaths saw wreaths placed in front of gravestones representing the same eight wars as those at the courthouse as well as a wreath for prisoners of war, and those missing in action, a tomb of the unknown soldier, and Agent Orange victims.

After the Placing of the Wreaths, there was another rifle salute, followed by the playing of “Taps” and the ringing of the bell before the ceremony came to a close.

“It’s a solemn day of remembrance,” Hylko said in an interview reflecting on both the ceremony as well as Memorial Day as a whole. “Today is one of those days that forces you to pause and think about the significance of wearing the uniform and serving in the military.”

After the ceremony participants and spectators where invited to VFW Post 2496 for lunch.

“I thought it was beautiful,” Carol Lund, an Alpena resident who was present at the ceremonies held at Little Flanders Field, said. “I just enjoyed everything.