Houghton County Declares October 18th As Marshall Kipina Day

The remains of a soldier from the Copper Country will finally be laid to rest next month.  Army Staff Sgt. Marshall F. Kipina of Calumet was killed during a mission over Laos in 1966 during the Vietnam War.

His remains were finally located and returned more than half a century later and will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery on October 18th at 9am.  Four junior cadets from Calumet High School’s JROTC and an officer will be in attendance at the service.

Kipina reportedly does not have any surviving family remaining in the area but local veterans’ organizations will also hold a service at Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet at the same time Kipina is buried.

Kipina was a 1964 graduate of Calumet High School.  Local veterans, along with members of his high school class, asked the county to honor Kipina’s sacrifice in service to his country by commemorating the day.

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted to declare October 18, 2018 as Marshall Frederick Kipina Remembrance Day.  Flags in Houghton County will be lowered to half staff that day.