THE TM 911 Franklin Street Weekly Newspaper Michigan City, IN 46360 Volume 29, Number 20 Thursday, May 23, 2013 Memorial Day 2013 THE Page 2 May23, 2013 THE 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 In Case Of Emergency, Dial e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] email: Classifieds - [email protected] http://www.thebeacher.com/ PRINTED WITH Published and Printed by TM Trademark of American Soybean Association THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden 911 Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also Cover delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. Photo by Oleg Semkoff by Sally Carpenter “Here Rests in Honored Philippines and two of them, Glory An American Soldier one from the European The- Known But to God.” ater and one from the Pa- Those are the words on cifi c Theater, were chosen, the side of the Tomb of the and the unknown soldier of Unknown Soldier that sits World War II was ultimately in Arlington National Cem- chosen by Hospital Corps- etery in Washington, D.C. man First Class William R. The history of how the Charette, then the Navy’s monument came to be and only active-duty Medal of the dedicated soldiers who Honor recipient. The other guard it night and day make The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sits on the Plaza of unknown was buried at sea a story that is patriotic and Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater with full honors. perfect for this Memorial Day weekend. For the unknown soldier of the Korean War, four On March 4, 1921, Congress approved a reso- unknowns were exhumed from the National Memo- lution to provide for the burial of an unidentifi ed rial Cemetery of the Pacifi c in Hawaii. This time, American soldier from World War I in a special tomb Army Master Sgt. Ned Lyle made the selection. to be built in Arlington National Cemetery. Many On May 30, 1958, the unknowns were carried on other Allied countries were doing the same thing to caissons to Arlington where President Eisenhower honor those who died anonymously in World War I. awarded each the Medal of Honor and the two were On Memorial Day of 1921, four unidentifi ed Ameri- interred beside their comrade from World War I. can soldiers were exhumed from four separate cem- The fi nal unknown soldier, from the Vietnam eteries in France. One of the caskets was selected Confl ict, was placed in the tomb on May 28, 1984, in by a highly decorated American soldier, Army Sgt. a ceremony presided over by then President Ronald Edward F. Younger, and was sent on to Washington, Reagan. Due to advances in DNA testing, the re- D.C.; the other three were reburied in the Meuse mains of the Vietnam unknown were discovered to Argonne Cemetery in France. be those of USAF Capt. Michael J. Blassie. He was The Unknown Soldier laid in state in the Capitol reburied at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Rotunda until Armistice Day, 1921, at which time in St. Louis, MO, leaving the crypt of the Vietnam President Warren G. Harding offi ciated at the in- unknown empty. ternment ceremonies in Arlington. On Sept. 17, 1999, the Vietnam crypt was rededi- Until 1926, a civilian watchman was responsible cated during the National POW-MIA Recognition for the security of the Tomb. On March 24 of that Day and a new plaque was installed: “Honoring and year, a military guard from the Washington Pro- Keeping Faith with America’s Missing Servicemen.” visional Brigade was put in charge during the day light hours. In 1937, the guard was expanded to 24- hour duty. Then in 1948, the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) took over guardianship of the Tomb, fol- lowing the unit’s reactivation. On Memorial Day 1958, the remains of two more unknown soldiers, from World War II and the Kore- an War, were added to the tomb. Following the way of choosing the fi rst unknown, remains of nineteen The crowds gather to watch the unidentifi ed soldiers and sailors were exhumed changing of the from cemeteries in Hawaii, Europe, Africa and the guard THE May23, 2013 Page 3 The Sentinels of the Tomb The tomb is guarded 24/7/365 in any and all weather by Tomb Sentinels, all volunteers, who are all part of the elite 3rd U.S. Infan- try, known as The Old Guard. They are headquartered at Fort Myer, VA, the Army post which is located next to the cemetery. A member of the Old Guard on duty. Those who wish to serve as tomb guards must be in excellent physical condition, be between 5 ft. 10 inches and 6 ft. 4 inches tall, have an unblemished record, and “impeccable military bearing.” They must commit to at least nine months of service, and afterward, are allowed to wear the Tomb Identifi cation Badge. The design is an in- verted open laurel wreath sur- rounding a representation of the front of the Tomb. The words “Honor Guard” are imprinted at the base of the badge. This becomes a permanent part of the uniform. Over 500 badges have been awarded since the 1950s. The sentinels rotate their walks every hour on the hour in the winter, and every half hour in the day during the summer. When the cemetery is closed, the changing of the guards takes place every two hours. And what is the walk? 21 steps, a nod to the 21 gun salute, the highest military honor given. While this unit is largely male dominated, there have been three fe- male Sentinels. You can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 7 days a week, 365 days a year: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (April- September) and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Octo- ber-March). The Changing of the Guard THE Page 4 May23, 2013 Artists Sought in Harbert National Safe Boating Week, May 18- Harbor Country’s premiere summer outdoor art 24, Focuses on Life Jacket Use event! The Harbert Business Association is seeking Excuses for not wearing a life jacket when boat- additional artists interested in participating in the ing abound: summer long ninth annual Umbrellas of Harbert event. Artists will receive one 9ft. market umbrella, “It’s too hot! It doesn’t look cool. I know how to on which to design an original work of art. The um- swim. Nothing is going to happen to me.” brellas will be displayed by sponsoring businesses Approximately 700 people drown in the United along Red Arrow Hwy. throughout the summer. States each year from recreational boating acci- On August 17th, the um- dents. The vast majority of those drowning victims brellas will be sold at a char- probably used one of these excuses. ity auction that will take During North American Safe Boating Week (May place at the Center of the 18-24) and throughout the boating season, the Indi- Word Showroom located at ana Department of Natural Resources and the Na- 13400 Red Arrow Hwy. The tional Safe Boating Council (NSBC) remind boaters event will feature live mu- to WEAR IT! and be alert and aware while on the sic, wine tasting, and hors water. d’oeuvres. Guests will have “Most, if not all, drownings can be prevented by theOne opportunity of last year’s entries to bid on their favorite umbrella at wearing a life jacket,” said Indiana Conservation a fun live auction. Offi cer Lt. Bill Browne. “If we can keep people’s This year a portion of the proceeds from each sale head above water we can prevent drownings. Wear- will go back to the artist, as a “thank you” for their ing a life jacket is the only prevention measure that participation. Space is limited, so don’t delay! is foolproof.” The event is an opportunity for artist to create Conservation offi cers are also urging people to in an interesting medium, gain exposure in a well- boat sober, and plan for a designated boat driver if publicized event and best of all; it’s for a great cause alcohol will be on board. Conservation offi cers ar- that has raised thousands of dollars for local chari- rested 337 people in 2012 for operating a motorboat ties! For more information: 269.612.7308. while intoxicated. Welcomet Back! We’re Open for Season 10! Voted Best Ice Cream in NW Indiana 9 Years in a Row! Locally Owned & Operated by the Martin Family Et &>sKZ^ Proudly serving 32 NEW FLAVORS fl avors of delicious, Cake Batter Fudge ~ Caramel Chaos old fashioned, ŵ Coconut Almond Bliss ~ Cotton Candy Twist hand scooped Fat Elvis ~ Heaps of Gold Super Premium Like us on facebook! Heaps of Love ~ Iced Latte-da Ice Cream! facebook.com/bubblesicecreamparlor Mint Avalanche ~ Raspberry Rhapsody Ultimate Oreo ~ Zanzibar Chocolate Gift Certifi cates Hours: Monday - Sunday Noon – 10 pm Available 115 W. Coolspring Ave Michigan City, Indiana Corner of Coolspring & Wabash (219)872-1024 THE May23, 2013 Page 5 United Way Partners with Lubeznik Center to Support Art Education United Way of LaPorte County is partnering with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts to supply kid- friendly scissors for children’s art education pro- grams. United Way received a generous donation of scis- sors from the Sammann Corporation of Michigan City and is distributing them to a variety of com- munity organizations. Laurie Wink, United Way development manager, said the Sammann family’s gift demonstrates a strong commitment to our com- munity and is meeting a need at a time of tight bud- gets.