Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz cancelled the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday out of an abundance of caution due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
But at the Veterans Memorial flag pole on the Park Strip, where the ceremony is held each Memorial Day, Anchorage citizens have taken things into their own hands.
A group is pulling together an unsanctioned Memorial Day ceremony, honoring the fallen war heroes of America.
Radio talk show host Eddie Burke came up with the idea late last week, after becoming irritated that the mayor cancelled the annual observance at the Veteran Memorial. Last year, Berkowitz was one of the speakers at the event.
This year’s observance will begin at 10 am and will be abbreviated from years past. It will be citizen-driven, rather than government organized.
While chairs cannot be provided for attendees — that would get the organizers in trouble with municipal code enforcers — people may bring their own folding chairs, said Bernadette Wilson, one of the organizers. She encourages people to practice physical distancing at the event and to bring nose-mouth coverings if they feel more comfortable.
Lt. Gen. Craig Campbell, (ret.), of the Alaska National Guard, will give the keynote address. He is also a former commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and former lieutenant governor.
John Teamer, a well known vocalist retired from the US Air Force, will sing the National Anthem and the Alaska Flag Song.
Wilson and Burke expect there will be a wreath-laying at the memorial, as is tradition, led by Assembly member Jamie Allard, who is a veteran. Dr. Jerry Prevo has been asked to give the invocation.
Those expecting a military band will find that Monday’s event will have a lone bugle player, who will give a rendition of “Taps.” Wilson said the purpose is not to celebrate, but to remember the sacrifices of the many who died while serving in the military.
“This isn’t a political event,” Burke said. “It’s about honoring the fallen.”
so the little commie dictator is still on his power trip, eh?
I think I will drive into Los Anchorage for this. Where is it on the park strip?
The Veterans Memorial. At the flag pole and monument on 9th. -sd
One more reason that points to the fact that our mayor is not relevant as a leader. Our town citizens have all the leadership that is needed to get things done.
I really enjoy living in Alaska all these years for moments like this. Seymour Marvin Mills Jr. sui juris
Just to give you an idea at what a joke this is, especially with masks.. Was in North Pole McDonald’s drive-through yesterday. The kid taking the money? A mask on half her face and under the nose… Then onto the one to get my order. Guess what? The gal had her mask on her chin… This has become ridiculous and nothing more than these idiots to use as a fashion statement… None of them were wearing the mask appropriately. In fact most are not that I see when I’m out… Folks in food service need to stop wearing them if they are not gonna wear them correctly. The way they are constantly touching their face to adjust their fashion statement is gonna cause more issues. Normally, you would not have that.
No official Memorial Day because of social distancing bs.. But wear your fashion statement mask completely wrong and look like a moron… Give me a break… This has turned into a mess… Thanks to the incredible overreaction to a sickness that most all survive…
Karaboo,
I read an article by an epidemiologist about masks. He stated that most “medical” masks, such as those worn by Americans, are not effective, even is worn correctly. With the everyday masks worn as protection, there is a 30% leakage of air around the edges of the mask, even when rated R-95 or higher. Do you recall your glasses fogging up on exhale? Air leakage. Cloth masks are inane. Only biohazard professional equipment with positive air pressure, enclosed filtering systems, separate air supply, are fully protected from that avenue of infection. Even then, accidents happen.
One thing that keeps coming to mind, a little off the subject. There were 42 million human beings that lost their right to exist, worldwide, last year. Not from a pandemic. From abortion. Why is the Wuhan v so threatening to humanity and the killing of that many babies (42 million) or more, every single year, actually praised and promoted by the left, declared righteous, and force-funded by American citizens and others who disagree with it, for various reasons? Look at the numbers. Wuhan v is only a tiny fraction of the number of human beings taken by abortion, every single year, and the big majority of it’s victims are elderly (like me), simply awaiting their turn on that golden stairway to Heaven, or that slippery slope, going the other way. Most have had their life and what became of it, good or bad. Why negatively impact generations to come with all the draconian measures of Wuhan v, on it’s behalf? Nonsense.
My opinion and I’m sticking to it.
Great points!!
A vet who has never been to one of these (usually cause I’m working) but I’m going this time.
What kind of leader thinks it will gain votes by insulting the veterans who kept our freedom at incredible risk? American veterans who also won back for millions of oppressed in Europe from an earlier dictator! Who will liberate Anchorage?
Well he or any other Democrat never has to worry about that ever sense they instituted April elections (controlled by unions), mail in ballots and only 25% of registered voters voting.
Could this be more about a lack of respect for those who died to protect our rights, than it is about a virus? Folks should remember this next election.
Stores, restaurants, and churches are now open. There’s absolutely no reason for the mayor to cancel this very important ceremony. I’m glad it’s happening despite his disrespect.
Thanks Eddie!
See you –all– there!
So the good mayor of Anchorage has decreed that restaurants, bars, stores, gyms, theaters, can open to full capacity but you can’t gather for a Memorial Day ceremony? Strange times indeed.
Mayor Berkleywitz, has always been a better California fit.
Xlnt!
Thank you Eddie!
You have more leadership in your little pinky than Conrade Ethan. The man continues to put political agenda and his irrational decisions over businesses, residents livlihood and now, a complete disregard for honoring veterans properly like we’ve always done annually. All under the guise that he cares more than anyone else.
Napoleon complex may also explain his pathetic , disrespectful conduct and power trip tendencies.
Exactly. Well Said! Thanks Eddie and Bernadette. Sorry I didn’t know about it.
See ya tomorrow!
Wish I could be there but will remember, & say a Prayer for sure, 1PM my time!
And thank you very much Eddie!
Ethan continues to remind everyone why he shouldn’t have been elected mayor. He does want higher office, so try not to forget what he has done during this.
But this goes a bit farther as there are 2-3 Assembly members thinking about running for Mayor next year (Felix, Forrest and Chris, you guys know who I am talking about). As all 3 of these are MIA while Ethan runs wild, it appears by their silence and inaction, they support what he is doing. Cheers –
From Townhall News :
The CDC just came out with a report that should be earth-shattering to the narrative of the political class, yet it will go into the thick pile of vital data and information about the virus that is not getting out to the public. For the first time, the CDC has attempted to offer a real estimate of the overall death rate for COVID-19, and under its most likely scenario, the number is 0.26%. Officials estimate a 0.4% fatality rate among those who are symptomatic and project a 35% rate of asymptomatic cases among those infected, which drops the overall infection fatality rate (IFR) to just 0.26% — almost exactly where Stanford researchers pegged ita month ago.
Until now, we have been ridiculed for thinking the death rate was that low, as opposed to the 3.4% estimate of the World Health Organization, which helped drive the panic and the lockdowns. Now the CDC is agreeing to the lower rate in plain ink.
Plus, ultimately we might find out that the IFR is even lower because numerous studies and hard counts of confined populations have shown a much higher percentage of asymptomatic cases. Simply adjusting for a 50% asymptomatic rate would drop their fatality rate to 0.2% – exactly the rate of fatality Dr. John Ionnidis of Stanford University projected.
This was all truly a PLANDEMIC to disable the economy….
Citizens stand up against tyranny!!! We have a tyrannical mayor and it’s time people let him know it!!
It would appear that the Mayor may define “courage” as hiding in a closet. I bet he could make that argument in a way that would make George Orwell blush.
It was a great event and very well put on in such a short time. Thanks to Bernadette and Eddy for doing this for all of us, even those that couldn’t make it. Election time is looming!
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