Remembering the fallen: Memorial Day 2022

Spates of rain did not deter Carlton County's honor guards as they made their solemn rounds on Memorial Day Monday. Events at cemeteries and parks across the county were marked by U.S. flags and required umbrellas that added color to a colorless, rain-dotted morning.

The rain subsided at St. Matthews Cemetery on North Cloquet Road at 10:30 as people gathered for song and prayer before the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard arrived for the playing of taps and a rifle salute to those lost in service to the country in the armed forces.

It was the last stop for the guard before it lined up for the 11:30 ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Cloquet. It repeated the taps and salute there, along with remarks from Carlton County Sheriff Kelly Lake and singing of the national anthem.

The center flags at the memorial in Cloquet, per custom, were raised to full staff after resting at half-staff since daybreak. Wreaths were placed at the stone memorial under the flags.

A similar scene took place at the same time at Hillside Cemetery in Carlton, where members of the Carlton VFW Post 2962 Honor Guard and Auxiliary were part of the ceremonies.