The Keweenaw Remembers Fallen Heroes

Around the Copper Country Veterans groups gathered at flag poles, at memorial dedications, and before the graves of the fallen to honor their memory. One of the first ceremonies occurred at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock with the Alfred Erickson American Legion Post 186. After raising the flag at the church the veterans traveled to the Houghton County marina for the next of eleven stops in the day. In Lake Linden the American Legion Post 90 took a break amid the Veterans Memorial Day breakfast to host its first flag dedication of the day. Held just outside the Lakes Lounge at the Lady Be Good Memorial Post 90 veterans completed a short march to the monument. The community and supporters at the breakfast also joined Post 90 in honoring service men and women who did not return home.

One such witness was Lou Carter. On April 1st, 2024, Lou passed away at the age of 102. He was the last survivor of the USS Arizona. During Pearl Harbor observances in 2020, Lou said to the American Legion, we’re not the heroes. The 1,177 who went down with the ship are the heroes. You have to remember, we have to go home, get married, and have children and grandchildren. We’ve lived a good life. Those who didn’t get to do that should be called heroes.

In Hubbell, a combined service was held at the newly dedicated Veterans Memorial that was constructed and unveiled one year ago. There several veterans groups from the Hubbell and Dollar Bay area honored the memory of three Hubbell brothers that served separately in World War II, Endicott and Jim Lovell were both killed in action in the spring of 1944 before the invasion of Normandy. The third and youngest brother, Robert, survived through the war. Throughout the day all around the region veterans groups and residents honored the memories of the veterans that have made freedom free for the United States.