Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Workers ready the Hubbell Honor Roll ahead of Monday’s dedication ceremony. So far, almost 500 combat veterans from Hubbell, Tamarack and Dollar Bay are listed.

By GARRETT NEESE

gneese@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON — After a year of planning, an honor roll for combat veterans in Hubbell, Tamarack and Dollar Bay will be unveiled Monday afternoon.

The dedication ceremony will be held 1 p.m. Monday at the new memorial, located on M-26 in Hubbell across the street from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4624.

The wall replaces and expands upon a long-vanished honor roll built after World War II. Post members Carl Deiro and Charlie Matson organized the effort to create the new memorial, raising funds by selling pavers, which donors could inscribe with the names of veterans.

The bricks make up the walkway to the honor roll.

Almost 500 combat veterans are included on the honor roll so far, Deiro said.

“We’ve had three ladies do the vetting for us,” he said. “They’ve been absolutely fabulous.”

Deiro said he and Matson are thankful for the way the community has responded. They’ve even heard from people who moved away from the area decades ago. Individual donors have helped, as have local companies and organizations.

“We couldn’t thank them enough for the support we’ve got,” Deiro said.

“They stop by almost every day now, saying they’re really pleased with what’s going on.”

Speakers at Monday’s ceremony will include State Rep. Greg Markkanen and Torch Lake Township Supervisor Brian Cadwell.

Members of the Michigan National Guard in Calumet will attend.

Benji Brotherton will play “Taps” at the conclusion of the ceremony, which will be followed by a luncheon at the post.

People can still purchase bricks through July 15 to help complete payments for the memorial. A booth will be set up at the dedication ceremony.

There will also be a table where people can submit information about veterans to be researched for inclusion on the honor roll.

“We’re always looking for names,” Deiro said.