The flower ceremony began at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the memorial outside the Alpena County courthouse and saw white roses placed in front of memorial plaques honoring those who served in different U.S. wars.

The white roses represent the purity of the Veteran’s intention, their innocence lost, and our remembrance of their sacrifice.

Rose presenters were women who represented the families who had lost sons and daughters in service to America.

There were flowers placed for 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. Each plaque received one of the eight roses handed out by the following women: Evelyn Londo, Mary Talaska, Amy Gagnon, Winona Rackinpau, Cheryl Ludwiczak, Nancy Montie, Gaylynn O’Brian, and Nancy Flask.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi Volunteers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2496 prepare to perform a rifle salute at the wreath-laying ceremony at Little Flanders Field on Monday.

At the ceremony, the National Anthem was sung by community members and a trumpet was played by Mark Kroll.

Following the flower ceremony was the wreath-laying ceremony at Little Flanders Field at 11 a.m.

Similar to the flower ceremony, the wreath-laying ceremony 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, those missing in action, a tomb of the unknown soldier, Agent Orange victims, and a wreath in the water to honor veterans who were lost at sea.

The wreaths were placed by Joe and Joyce Demski, Wayne Trapp and Tom Keen, Jim and Dolores Potrykus, Jean Keen and Jim Cathers, Mark Goss and Dave Hagaman, Dick Hampshire and Dave McCoumbrie, Todd and Joelle Demand, Ryan Wright and Joshua Radulaki, Steve Lawyer and Sabrina Olsen, Dan and Christina Perge, Mason Donajkowski and Reina Jasman, and Sergeant First Class Chad Francisco and Sergeant Damon Adam.

United States Marine Corps Retired Master Sergeant Todd Smalenberg was the guest speaker at the event.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi Members of the Alpena community stand in preparation for the wreath-laying ceremony at Little Flanders Field on Monday.

After the placing of the wreaths, there was a rifle salute by volunteers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2496 followed by the playing of “Taps.”

Before the ceremony came to a close, a poem was read to those in attendance, paying respect to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

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

News Photo by Temi FadayomiSergeant First Class Chad Francisco and Sergeant Damon Adam place a wreath at the casket of the unknown soldier at the wreath-laying ceremony at Little Flanders Field on Monday to honor veterans whose remains have yet to be properly identified.