Ceremony Pays Respects to Those Lost in Sept. 11 Tragedy

Mackinac Island Girl Scouts sold 180 extra boxes of cookies and donated them to American troops. The girls received a citation from the Michigan Army National Guard and were made honorary members of the First Battalion 125th Infantry Regiment of Cheboygan, and received a unit crest. The presentation was made Tuesday, September 11, during Patriot Day. Girl Scouts include (front row, from left) Kyra Kolatski, Hailey Armstrong, Amelia Roe, Adrienne Rilenge; (back) Hailey Bean, Diana Dupre, Zhane Nash, Mackenzie Bean, and Meadow Greenlee. Paul Wandrie, Sr., (left) commander for American Legion Post 299, presents Mackinac Island Girl Scout Troop 127 with the citation. Post 299 Color Guard includes (from left) Don Andress, Gracie Francis, Pete Komblevitz, and Roy Bessel.

Mackinac Island residents and visitors observed Patriot Day Tuesday, September 11, at the veteran's memorial on Market Street, with speeches and a special tribute to Island Girl Scouts for sending cookies to soldiers leaving for Iraq.

The day's intermittent rain held off through most of the ceremony, and a fire truck, ambulance, and police car served as a back-drop to the 6 p.m. ceremony.

Patriot Day serves as a time to remember those who died during the terrorist attacks six years ago.

Armand "Smi" Horn opened the half-hour ceremony that included Trish Martin singing the National Anthem. An opening prayer was offered by the Reverend Ken Straight of the Mackinac Island Bible Church.

Paul Wandrie, commander of the American Legion Post 299, read President George Bush's proclamation for Patriot Day, which stated, "The spirit of our people is the source of our nation's strength."

Mayor Margaret Doud also spoke to the crowd and Fire Chief Dennis Bradley offered a salute to firefighters.

The closing prayer was given by Chuck Kleber of Trinity Church, followed by the playing of "Taps."

Girl Scout Troop 127 was recognized for their efforts in selling cookies to be donated to American service personnel.

Troop leader Julie Rilenge said that 15 additional cases of shortbread cookies sold were delivered to the First Battalion 125th Infantry Regiment of Cheboygan, which is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq.

Mr. Wandrie presented the Girl Scouts with a citation from the Michigan Army National Guard and unit crests from the 125th Regiment, making them honorary members of the unit.