Brothers Mike (from left), Jim, and Louis Litzner from the St. Ignace Knights of Columbus brigade at the Memorial Day service in St. Ignace Monday, May 31. Their brother, Rick, also present at the ceremony, served in the Vietnam War. Two war heroes from the Eastern Upper Peninsula who lost their lives serving in Afghanistan in 2009, Army Sergeant Christopher Griffin from Kincheloe and Army Specialist Brendan Steffey from Sault Ste. Marie, were among fallen soldiers honored with a Memorial Day service Monday, May 31, outside the Mackinac County Courthouse in St. Ignace.

Veterans present at the ceremony served in World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. Representing Disabled American veterans, Billie Clark of St. Ignace, who along with her late husband, Gene, served in the Vietnam War, presided over the ceremony .

To open the ceremony, soloist Kathy Lawnichak of St. Ignace sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America,” and pastor Jeremy Winters of Zion Lutheran Church in St. Ignace recited a prayer.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Frank Foster of Pellston. Mr. Foster said his great-grandfather emigrated to northern Michigan more than 100 years ago because he didn't want fight for the tyranny of an oppressive government with a German czar. Both of his grandfathers served in wars. One received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for disarming bombs in World War II, and the other received a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for fighting in the Korean War.

A wreath was placed on the military memorial outside the courthouse by Marine Corps veteran Mike Lehto of St. Ignace and St. Ignace Mayor Paul Grondin in honor of soldiers killed in the line of duty, which was followed by a moment of silence.

Mr. Grondin recognized Sgt. Griffin and Spec. Brendan Steffey, the two area soldiers killed in current fighting.

Pastor Jim Balfour of United Methodist Church in St. Ignace closed the ceremony with a benediction.

Also participating in the ceremony were sailors from the United States Coast Guard, Foreman Joshua Schaffer, Seaman Jennifer Sellers, Seaman Marc Lofgren, Seaman Joshua Stein, and Boatswains Mate 3 Gibb Michael, and members of the St. Ignace Knights of Columbus. Haillee Brown and Brooklyn Chambers, two LaSalle High School band students, played “Taps” to honor departed soldiers.