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TOWER- While the Herb Lamppa Civic Center was not as full as in recent years, many took time out of their holiday weekend to honor and remember those who both gave their lives while in service to our …
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TOWER- While the Herb Lamppa Civic Center was not as full as in recent years, many took time out of their holiday weekend to honor and remember those who both gave their lives while in service to our country, as well as to all area veterans who have passed away.
The list of veterans who have passed away gets longer every year. This year it took about 30 minutes to read out all the names, one by one, thanks to a series of readers, most who had no trouble pronouncing names, ranging from the Andersons and Johnsons, to less common and harder to pronounce surnames from men and women who hailed from Eastern Europe.
Family names dating back to the Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I are shared with families still living in the area: Myre, Aronson, Avikainen, Bystrom, Gornick, Gruben, Korpi, Kultala, Norberg, Nemanich, Peyla, Poderzay, Rasmussen, Stefanich, Turk, Wiermaa, Worringer, Yernatich, Zobitz, and Zollar among many others.
There are names now associated with the area, some as place names or local landmarks: Wiseman, Wahlsten, Gundersen, Chiabotti, Peyla, Zupanich.
There are the names of former mayors, local council members, township supervisors, postmasters, teachers, business leaders, and others who left a lasting imprint on our community. There are many names of community members from the Vermilion Reservation (The Bois Forte Heritage Center has a beautiful tribute to their veterans).
Listening to the list brings back memories of these families both past and present.
“Events like this endear me to our community,” said Tower Mayor Dave Setterberg. He thanked the volunteers from the Tower-Soudan Civic Club who sponsor the program. “It’s because of all of you, bringing the community together.”
Rolf Anderson led the Tower-Soudan Singers who sang a selection of patriotic songs, including “The Folded Flag,” which specifically honors those who had been killed in action. The Bois Forte Honor Guard presented the colors and gave a 21-gun salute. American Legion Auxiliary member Delores Clark, with help from Setterberg, placed a wreath on a ceremonial Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Father Beau Braun gave the benediction and retired pastor Doug Workman did the benediction. The tribute ended with Ethan Zaitz playing taps.
Tower-Soudan Civic Club member Barb Peyla is the current “keeper of the list” of names of deceased veterans. She read a list of names of deceased veterans for which there is missing information, mostly what war(s) they served in: William Caron, Ralph Christopherson Jr., Francis Connor, David Durrant, Dennis Erchul, Donald J. Erchul, James A. Fisler, James Frazee, Harold Fuson, Kathleen Fuson, Alfred Golden, Rulolph “Rudy” Grahek, Charles D. Harmston, Melvin Hintz Jr., LeRoy Holmes, Walter Jarecki Jr., Douglas Jeranson, Frank Korpi, Russell Helmer Larson, James Meehan, Richard “Rick” Nelson, Robert Ranisate, Roman John Reichensperger Jr., William T. Rusch, Roy Soderberg, John Francis Stepan, Steve Stepan, Thomas Tomlinson, James Trembath, and Earl J. Zimmerman.
Peyla asked if anyone has information on these names, or the names of any local veterans who are not currently on the list, to please contact her at bnpeyla@gmail.com, or by mail at Barb Peyla, 9382 Angus Rd., Tower, MN 55790.