The United States Coast Guard Color Guard presented the flag of the United States and Coast Guard during the Mackinaw Maritime Festival Friday, May 7. Along with the Color Guard, the icebreaker Mackinaw and a Coast Guard helicopter made an appearance during the ceremony. Members of the Color Guard are (from left) Fireman Machinery Technician Maurice Thompson, Storekeeper Alden Wolfe, and Maritime Enforcement Specialist Ron Castle. Not pictured is Flotilla Commander Tammy Castle. Dozens packed the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum parking lot Friday, May 7, to attend Mackinaw City's ceremony honoring the 1965 sinking of the S.S. Cedarville. Many rode trolleys to the museum, while others chose to walk from the parking area, shouldering their bags and cameras. The ship quickly filled up as people stepped past a well-worn “welcome” mat, climbing up the ramp onto the ship and securing a seat for the memorial.

Robert Bingle, a survivor of the sinking of the S.S. Cedarville, lays a wreath over the site of the wreck Friday, May 7. Mr. Bingle rode with other visitors to the site of the sinking, which was part of the Mackinaw Maritime Festival events. He is pictured here with Dick Moehl of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association and an unidentified woman. (Photograph by Terry Pepper) Some visitors quickly discovered all seats for the event were taken, with only standing room remaining. People stayed, regardless, occasionally stumbling as the ship swayed slightly on the water.

The mood swiftly became solemn as the ceremony began, as all stood for the pledge of allegiance and “God Bless America.”

Speakers took the podium on the ship, including Bill Shepler of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, Dick Moehl of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, and Captain Mark Huebschman of the United States Coast Guard. All explained the importance of honoring the shipwreck that occurred 45 years ago.

Students of Bishop Baraga School in Cheboygan climbed onboard the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Friday, May 7, to watch the ceremony honoring the freighter Cedarville during the Mackinaw Maritime Festival. The students attending the ceremony are (from left) Cole Hudson, Kaleb Blaskowski, Laine Rogala, Sam Easter, Hanna Konicki, and Zachary Holcomb, along with Jaime Deitz, who watched over them. Frigid winds buffeted the crowd and speakers from the very beginning of the ceremony, rattling in everyone's ears and whistling on deck.

“The weather was uncomfortable, but appropriate,” said Larry Martin of Big Rapids, who attended the ceremony.

Yet the bell that sounded each time Cedarville survivor Leonard Gabrysiak read another name of those who died in the sinking chimed clearly, even in the wind.

Musician Dan Hall of Indian River sings one of the pieces he wrote specifically for the Mackinaw Maritime Festival Friday, May 7. The acoustic music received much applause, and was cited by some as one of the favorite parts of the ceremony. Indian River musician Dan Hall's songs about the Cedarville sailed about on the wind as he crooned into the microphone, gently strumming his acoustic guitar as all listened quietly before rewarding his efforts with applause. The United States Coast Guard color guard was present at the event, while a Coast Guard helicopter intermittently flew high above the museum. Visitors often craned their heads skyward and quickly snapped photographs before it retreated.

The new icebreaker Mackinaw, which nearly did not make it to the ceremony owing to mechanical problems, slowly sailed out to the site of the Cedarville wreck just two miles away. A flare was launched into the air marking the location of the tragedy, causing those on shore to gasp quietly and point toward the flickering light.

“The way that flare went up? Oh, it put your heart in your mouth,” said Carol Garlo of Roscommon.

As the flare slowly began to wink out in the distance, Pastor Dave Wallis concluded the ceremony, performing a blessing of the fleet in the hope the Cedarville sinking would never be repeated. As the color guard retired, visitors exited the ship to enjoy other events in the festival.

Following the ceremony, visitors could take a boat ride out to the site of the wreck of the Cedarville. Surviver Robert Bingle laid a wreath upon the water at the site.

Jan Rocker of Bellaire and Mr. Martin attended the ceremony and several of the other events afterward together, and were pleased with the effort made to honor the Cedarville crew.

“It was great the survivors could be seen and honored,” Mr. Martin said.

Brian Haske, son of Stanley Haske, who died in the sinking, also attended the ceremony.

“I had wondered years ago why Mackinaw City didn't have” a ceremony, he said. He said he was happy with how the ceremony was conducted. Both those who perished and those who survived were recognized.

“It is wonderful that they're honoring the survivors,” he said.

Those who perished when the Cedarville sank east of Mackinaw City May 7, 1965, are: Chief Engineer F. Donald Lamp, Third Assistant Engineer Reinhold F. Radtke, Steward Wilbert Bredow, Watchmen Edward H. Jungman, Deckwatch Arthur J. Fuhrman, Wheelsman Stanley Haske, Wheelsman William B. Asam, Third Mate Charles H. Cook, Stokerman Eugene F. Jones, and Oiler Hugh Wingo.