GOLDEN K CHAIR Bill Roberts with guest speaker Dickinson County Veteran Service Officer Denise Formolo on March 10. (Submitted photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Memorial Day is the last Monday of each May. It is a time to honor and recognize the sacrifice and bravery of those who gave everything in the fight for our freedoms.

After the Civil War, family and friends began a tribute to those who laid down their lives by going to the cemeteries and decorating the graves of those who were lost in the war. This tradition continues today as witnessed by visiting any cemetery where a soldier is buried. The sea of flags and beautiful wreaths provide a testament to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the community who will be forever grateful and never forget.

Memorial Day is the official kick-off of the summer. Americans enjoy barbecues and family gatherings, getting the summer home opened and the boat ready for the season. For those whose loved one is gone, those in the military and their families, this day is a time of reflection and remembrance.

For active-duty service members, Memorial Day can evoke a mixture of emotions — honor for fellow service members, gratitude for their sacrifices, and sometimes discomfort. Many take time to participate in ceremonies, laying wreaths at memorials or visiting cemeteries, thereby reinforcing a bond with those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price.

Veterans, too, feel the significance of this day deeply. It can serve as an annual reminder of their own experiences and the friends they lost while in combat. Some may feel survivor’s guilt, while others find comfort in community gatherings that foster camaraderie and support with those who truly understand the sacrifices that are made during combat and in service to our country.

Additionally, Memorial Day can prompt conversations between generations and help the next generation understand the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is important to acknowledge the emotional toll of military service in times of loss, for the families, friends and our community.

Ultimately, the solemn ceremony on Memorial Day connects the civilians and the military personnel, reminding each of the human cost of freedom and the impact both physically and mentally on those who have served. By remembering we can continue to honor their lives and commitment to support freedom anytime, anywhere that it is threatened.

Dickinson County area Memorial Day programs:

— 9 a.m., Dickinson County Courthouse;

— 10:15 a.m., Quinnesec Cemetery;

— 11 a.m., Iron Mountain City Cemetery; and

— 11 a.m., Norway Township Cemetery.

Iron County area Memorial Day programs:

— 8 a.m., Rose Hill Cemetery;

— 8 a.m., Bates Cemetery;

— 8:30 a.m., Iron River Cemetery;

— 9:30 a.m., Stambaugh Cemetery;

— 10 a.m., Resthaven Cemetery;

— 10:30 a.m., Lakeview Cemetery, Alvin, Wis.; and

— 1:30 p.m., Iron River Nursing Home.

Note: These are not a complete listing of every area program.

Upcoming events:

— Bingo every Tuesday at the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain.

— All-you-can-eat breakfast, 8 to 11:30 a.m., last Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 145 in Norway.

— June 28, Dickinson County Veteran Appreciation Picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain. All Dickinson County veterans and their families, also all surviving widows/widowers of veterans are invited to attend. This is a free event hosted by the Dickinson County Veteran Service Office to show appreciation to area veterans and their dependents.