Air Force veteran Ernie Griffes dedicates the veterans memorial at Cedarville Recreational Vehicle Park Sunday, August 31. In the front row are special guests (from left) Vietnam Navy veteran Frank Harness, World War II Navy veteran Norm Windsor, Evelyn Calven, World War II Navy veteran Art Calven, World War II Navy veteran Jack Nordquist, Pearl Harbor Navy veteran Blair "Ted" Coutant, World War II Navy veteran Don Patrick, World War II Navy veteran Vern Nye, and Navy Seabee Archie Dunn. "It is good to see this treatment of veterans. I like this," said Blair "Ted" Coutant, a World War II veteran and survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, just after a new veterans memorial was dedicated at Cedarville Recreational Vehicle Park Sunday, August 31.

Mr. Coutant, a Navy veteran and resident of Sault Ste. Marie, attended the dedication ceremony, where park owner Jon Steinbach had given permission for the memorial.

Resort host Ernie Griffes, who owns a lot at the park, conducted the ceremony at the memorial, which stands in clear view of Grove Street. Complete with a plaque on a pedestal honoring veterans, its flags will fly 365 days a year.

Members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) make a strong showing at a veterans memorial dedication at Cedarville Recreational Vehicle Park Sunday, August 31. Some members (not in order) are pictured here. Members who attended include Carl Shefferd of Belleville, Mick Capman of Muskegon, Commander Jerry "Rocky" Stone of Brimley, who attended with his wife, Debbie Stone, state representative of CVMA Tim Wellman of Bark River, Phil Brown of Brimley, Donald Johnston Sr. of St. Ignace, group treasurer Terry Becker of Hessel, who attend with his wife, Kathryn Becker, Brian "Stinger" Williams of Kinross, and CVMA Auxiliary member Carolyn "Blackdove" Groh. Anyone who has worn a military uniform is a veteran, in his point of view, Mr. Coutant said. Everyone who makes the decision to serve agrees to put themselves in harm's way and deserves the title, he said.

It is a sentiment he has expressed many times as a public speaker on behalf of veterans at events such as Sault Area High School's Veterans Day assembly, he said.

Mr. Coutant said that he had been lucky in WWII. Dive bombers missed his ship, the USS Medusa, six times during the attack on Pearl Harbor, where American forces are credited with shooting down two planes and damaging a Japanese submarine, he added.

"Later, we saw them lifting parts out of the water," he recalled.

His and many other stories were shared at the event, which was attended by veterans from every branch of service and every major military conflict since World War II.

The U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Ignace Honor Guard presented the colors. Chaplain Carl Eagle, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3676 in Sault Ste. Marie, conducted opening and closing prayers, and the national anthem was led by the Sault Ste. Marie American Legion and Hessel VFW Women's Auxiliaries. Several members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association participated in a rifle salute.

Special guests included Mr. Coutant, Air Force veteran Roger Hamel of Cedarville, and Navy veteran Norman Windsor of Cedarville.

Speaking at the ceremony, Marine veteran Robert Cataline of Cedarville noted that many sol- diers who served during war returned to become leaders in their communities.

"We all owe a debt to them," he added.

Cedarville resident Frank Harness, a rear admiral in the Navy and a Vietnam veteran, said he was in awe of the servicemen before him and encouraged everyone at the assembly to listen to their stories.

He praised the American Legion and VFW Women's Auxiliaries, many of whom are spouses and mothers of veterans who kept up the spirits of soldiers with letters and pictures.

"I, for one, know I couldn't have done it without you," he said.

He spoke of a bond among veterans that develops into lasting friendships.

Mr. Harness led the veterans in repeating the oath they took when they entered military service to serve their country and obey their superiors.

Money raised at the ceremony benefits a Wounded Warriors project to provides services to soldiers who have been severely injured.

Refreshments by Jon Steinbach were provided as many of the soldiers told their stories under tents set up for the ceremony.

The memorial can be seen at 634 Grove Street in Cedarville, one block south of M-134 and onehalf mile east of downtown Cedarville.