White Pine American Legion Post to dedicate new memorial to those killed in action

WHITE PINE - After nearly six years of planning, fundraising, design, and construction the White Pine American Legion Post 462 has completed it's new memorial to those killed in action.

The effort to construct a new monument started because the original monument was crumbling and no longer suitable to honor "our fallen comrades from Carp Lake Township," said Ron Howard of the Ontonagon County Veterans Association.

Bob Lubbers, adjutant at the time, spearheaded the effort. There was a fundraising dinner, letters written asking for donations, and a designed the KIA monument submitted for committee approval.

Donation came in large and small from many folks, according to Howard. Construction of the base started last summer. But first the old monuments had to be remove. A contractor put in a new foundation and a black granite stone was donated for the monument's center piece.

This spring the contractor began construction working with the finalized design. Along with the brick and mortar construction, four KIA plaques were installed that had been removed from the crumbling monument.

Additional military department bronze plaques were also purchased and installed by committee members.

"As of June 26, the KIA Monument was officially finished," said Howard. "Our fallen comrades now have an honorable place of recognition and hopefully rest in peace."

A dedication of the monument will take place Saturday at 3 p.m.

"The Ontonagon County Veterans Association, not only contributed to the building of the monument, but will also perform the dedication ceremony," said Howard. "Our guest speaker will be the highly decorated U.S. Air Force Col. Howard Seid from Rockland."

A wreath will be placed at the monument by Seid and with assistance of any remaining family members of the KIAs. Post 462 will be open to the public with food and refreshment after the dedication.

"Everyone from the surrounding area is cordially invited," Howard said.