Sault honors fallen soldiers in Memorial Day ceremony

Brendan Wiesner, The Sault News
Updated ·2 min read
Soldiers stand at attention as they get ready for the ceremony in the annual Memorial Day parade in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.
Soldiers stand at attention as they get ready for the ceremony in the annual Memorial Day parade in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.

SAULT STE. MARIE — Dozens of Sault residents gathered along the courthouse steps on Tuesday to remember and honor fallen soldiers.

Unlike many other cities, Sault Ste. Marie remembers Memorial Day on the original Decoration Day date, which was observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

Starting at the American Legion post, several floats, marching soldiers, military trucks and bikers joined in the annual Memorial Day parade as it made its way through the city.

Floats and other participants in the annual Memorial Day parade in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.
Floats and other participants in the annual Memorial Day parade in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.
A City of Sault Ste. Marie float passes by during the annual Memorial Day parade on Tuesday, May 30.
A City of Sault Ste. Marie float passes by during the annual Memorial Day parade on Tuesday, May 30.

Ending at the steps of the courthouse, the parade led to a memorial and remembrance service to honor and recognize all American soldiers who died in war.

At the Chippewa County Courthouse, the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosted the ceremony, which included a rifle volley and salute.

During the ceremony, several wreaths were placed at memorials in front of the courthouse, each one in remembrance of a different conflict or war where soldiers lost their lives.

Crowds stand in front of the Chippewa County Courthouse during the annual Memorial Day parade in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.
Crowds stand in front of the Chippewa County Courthouse during the annual Memorial Day parade in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.

Retired Command Master Chief Robert Linn of the U.S. Coast Guard gave a speech about the importance of Memorial Day in front of the courthouse, before conducting the ceremony.

Linn has a long family history of military service, dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War where his ancestor Johan C. Fasnacht turned against the British and fought for the American colonies. Linn also has family that has fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Retired Command Master Chief Robert Linn prepares for the laying of the wreaths in the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.
Retired Command Master Chief Robert Linn prepares for the laying of the wreaths in the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, May 30.

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"Who I am doesn't matter at all, I'm a straw man, a placeholder, a channel for the thoughts and prayers and the feelings of our grateful nation," Linn said. "So today as we stand here on the lawn of the courthouse, we're gathered not just as individuals, but as a community united under the banner of freedom and remembrance. We're here on this day to pay our respects to the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation."

Linn would go on to remind the crowd that the purpose of Memorial Day is to recognize that it is the duty of citizens to remember and honor the sacrifices of the past as the country moves forward into the future.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault honors fallen soldiers in Memorial Day ceremony