Local News
Parade of Thanks slated for Saturday
By DAN SCHNEIDER, DMG Writer
POSTED: May 16, 2008
HOUGHTON — It’s been a busy week of honoring military members already in the cities that are home to the largest Armed Forces Day parade in the nation, and these events culminate in the Third Annual Parade of Thanks in Houghton and Hancock.
The parade starts Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Franklin Square Inn in Houghton. It will head west on Shelden Ave., cross the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, then head up Quincy Street in Hancock.
Dennis Korby, president of Keweenaw Care Corps, which is organizing the parade, said anyone is welcome to walk in the parade carrying a poster, picture or sign honoring someone who has served or is serving in the military.
“We’re lining up at 9 o’clock in Franklin Square in Houghton, down by the Super 8 is where the civilian floats will be lining up,” Korby said.
Military and veterans’ support groups will be lining up on Lakeshore Drive at the same time.
Parade spectators are encouraged to bring American flags to wave along the route as the parade passes by.
Korby said spectators should also voice words of thanks and appreciation when the car carrying the grand marshal comes by.
“I’m encouraging people to really come out and honor Neil Isaacson, our grand marshal,” Korby said.
A dinner was held Thursday night at the White House Inn in Mohawk in honor of Isaacson, who was blinded and severely wounded in a bomb blast during the Vietnam War. Both Houghton and Keweenaw county officials passed resolutions proclaiming Thursday as Neil Isaacson Day.
Korby counts Vietnam veterans among the most under-recognized people to have served in the U.S. military. The Keweenaw Care Corps hopes to do its part to remedy that situation Saturday with a 45-foot parade float.
The 107th Engineer Battalion, which was a focal point marching in last year’s parade, will not be in this year’s parade.
“The 107th can’t march in the parade because they’re going to be training for their deployment, but their family members will be participating,” Korby said.
He encouraged people to march in the parade in honor of members of the 107th.
“This time the 107th, the word we get is that sometime in the fall they will be going to Afghanistan so it’s a farewell to them, it’s a great opportunity for someone to say farewell to them in the parade,” Korby said.
Charter Communications will televise the parade and produce a DVD with footage of the parade.
“We are going to be encouraging people who have sons or daughters or husbands or wives deployed over there, we’d like them to get in contact with us so we can get them a copy of this DVD to send over to their loved ones,” Korby said.
Later Saturday, a rally is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Copper Country Mall. This event will feature speakers including state Rep. Mike Lahti, D-Hancock, as well as musical performances.
Between now and Saturday, and anytime thereafter, Korby encourages people to take the time to show appreciation directly to people who have served or are serving in the military.
“Who up here doesn’t know somebody who is a veteran or currently serving in the military?” Korby said. “ ... find a way to thank them. Extend a handshake, a phone call, a letter. That’s the most important thing is just to find a way to honor and support and thank.”
Dan Schneider can be reached at dschneider@mininggazette.com
The parade starts Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Franklin Square Inn in Houghton. It will head west on Shelden Ave., cross the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, then head up Quincy Street in Hancock.
Dennis Korby, president of Keweenaw Care Corps, which is organizing the parade, said anyone is welcome to walk in the parade carrying a poster, picture or sign honoring someone who has served or is serving in the military.
“We’re lining up at 9 o’clock in Franklin Square in Houghton, down by the Super 8 is where the civilian floats will be lining up,” Korby said.
Military and veterans’ support groups will be lining up on Lakeshore Drive at the same time.
Parade spectators are encouraged to bring American flags to wave along the route as the parade passes by.
Korby said spectators should also voice words of thanks and appreciation when the car carrying the grand marshal comes by.
“I’m encouraging people to really come out and honor Neil Isaacson, our grand marshal,” Korby said.
A dinner was held Thursday night at the White House Inn in Mohawk in honor of Isaacson, who was blinded and severely wounded in a bomb blast during the Vietnam War. Both Houghton and Keweenaw county officials passed resolutions proclaiming Thursday as Neil Isaacson Day.
Korby counts Vietnam veterans among the most under-recognized people to have served in the U.S. military. The Keweenaw Care Corps hopes to do its part to remedy that situation Saturday with a 45-foot parade float.
The 107th Engineer Battalion, which was a focal point marching in last year’s parade, will not be in this year’s parade.
“The 107th can’t march in the parade because they’re going to be training for their deployment, but their family members will be participating,” Korby said.
He encouraged people to march in the parade in honor of members of the 107th.
“This time the 107th, the word we get is that sometime in the fall they will be going to Afghanistan so it’s a farewell to them, it’s a great opportunity for someone to say farewell to them in the parade,” Korby said.
Charter Communications will televise the parade and produce a DVD with footage of the parade.
“We are going to be encouraging people who have sons or daughters or husbands or wives deployed over there, we’d like them to get in contact with us so we can get them a copy of this DVD to send over to their loved ones,” Korby said.
Later Saturday, a rally is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Copper Country Mall. This event will feature speakers including state Rep. Mike Lahti, D-Hancock, as well as musical performances.
Between now and Saturday, and anytime thereafter, Korby encourages people to take the time to show appreciation directly to people who have served or are serving in the military.
“Who up here doesn’t know somebody who is a veteran or currently serving in the military?” Korby said. “ ... find a way to thank them. Extend a handshake, a phone call, a letter. That’s the most important thing is just to find a way to honor and support and thank.”
Dan Schneider can be reached at dschneider@mininggazette.com
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