Swartz Creek View

Gaines community gathers to salute local veterans who gave their lives




Kyle Brewer, Kaden Kontranowski and Joe Bickley, members of the 14th Michigan Infantry Re-enactors, set up a typical Korean War encampment for the 4th annual Memorial Day service at the Veterans Memorial Park in Gaines.

Kyle Brewer, Kaden Kontranowski and Joe Bickley, members of the 14th Michigan Infantry Re-enactors, set up a typical Korean War encampment for the 4th annual Memorial Day service at the Veterans Memorial Park in Gaines.

GAINES – Two modest gravesites in Oakwood Cemetery in the Village of Gaines cradle the remains of Daniel Beardslee and Ernest Warram.

From 1950-53, at least 45 Gaines natives were deployed to fight in the Korean War. Beardslee and Warram were among them; and they paid the ultimate price.

All told, 13 Gaines community members have laid down their lives in service to their country, in the Civil War, World Wars I and II, in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq.

All were honored Monday when the Gaines community gathered for the 4th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Gaines Veterans Memorial Park. This year’s tribute paid homage to Korean War veterans, and included a replica encampment set up by the 14th Michigan Infantry Re-enactors.

As has become the tradition, the Gaines Community Band performed patriotic music, and the Gaines Rifle Team provided a rifle salute.

Master of Ceremonies Dave Aurand offered a brief history of Memorial Day, which began as Decoration Day in the wake of the Civil War. Decoration Day was a springtime tribute to military personnel killed in action, and it was recognized by placing flowers on the graves of, and reciting prayers for, the fallen.

Photos by Lania Rocha

Photos by Lania Rocha

Aurand also touched on the history of the Korean War, which began June 25, 1950, when 75,000 North Korean soldiers crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. The United States, which had attempted to mediate and facilitate a truce, entered the conflict on behalf of South Korea by July of 1950.

Three years of bloodshed cost 5 million lives, including civilians, including 33,000 American soldiers, and including a couple local boys named Beardslee and Warram, who once walked these same streets and called this little hamlet home.

The Friends of Gaines Veterans Community Park supports and runs the activities at the park.

Members of the Barons Motorcycle Club, whom Aurand called “our brothers,” received special recognition for two major projects: leveling the bricks that had shifted, and straightening the monument to Amos Weaver.

Janice Richardson, a member of the Gaines Community Band since its inception 42 years ago, performs “Taps.” Photos by Lania Rocha

Janice Richardson, a member of the Gaines Community Band since its inception 42 years ago, performs “Taps.” Photos by Lania Rocha

Weaver, a Gaines resident and U.S. Army sergeant, received the Medal of Honor for actions taken Nov. 5, 1899, when he, alone, confronted a group of 15 insurgents, killing four and wounding several others, in the Philippines. Weaver also is buried at Oakwood Cemetery.

The Memorial Day ceremony wrapped up with a community picnic.

Logan Long, 5, enjoys the visiting with neighbors on the warm, sunny afternoon.

Logan Long, 5, enjoys the visiting with neighbors on the warm, sunny afternoon.