For the second time, the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP) paid homage to local veterans on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20. Veterans from World War I were honored, along with veterans from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Veterans, along with family and friends gathered in the Superior High School gym at 1 p.m. Rep. Denley Loge was the emcee for the afternoon, with musician Jack Gladstone and Army Sgt. Maj. Michael Jarnevic as guests.

Superior residents Russell Norris Grunhuvd, 91, and Edna Cummings, 104, were guests of honor for the event.

Grunhuvd, surrounded by his wife and family, was injured during WWII when his ship, USS Little, was hit by Japanese kamikaze pilots. He was one of the survivors out of the 200 member crew, although 62 perished and 27 were injured. He has been married to his wife, Dorian for 69 years and together they have four children, Tom, Linda, Peg and Carol, plus 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Cummings is the oldest living WWI widow in Mineral County. Her husband, Stanley, served in the Army and served in an ambulance company in France and Germany. They married in 1933 after Stanley had served. He had enlisted in 1917 and was wounded in the back and face. He then contracted polio and was told he would never walk again. After six years of recovery he was able to walk with a cane. The couple had four children, Doug, Ken, Joyce and Mirtha, plus 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

Boy Scout troop 4953 out of St. Regis, folded two American flags and Chaplain Fred Gillott presented the honorees with the flags. Superior Girl Scout Troop 3802 was also at the ceremony helping and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Montana musician Jack Gladstone, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, played two songs accompanied by his guitar honoring veterans and their sacrifice for our country. Deborah Frandsen, regional director for Sen. Jon Tester, read a letter from him praising veterans. He also talked about several initiatives he and others are working on to help veterans, especially in the area of healthcare.

Guest speaker, Michael Jarnevic is a good friend of the event’s coordinator, Mary Jo Berry. He is retired from the Army after serving for 42 years. He is presumably the last Vietnam veteran still on active duty as of July, 2015. He participated in four conflicts: Vietnam; the Contra War; the Persian Gulf War; and Afghanistan.

Following his speech, a video was shown created by the Superior Business Professional of America club. The Mineral County Cabin Fever Quilter also had 22 quilts on display that they would be giving to veterans who had signed up for them. They said anyone who wants one can still sign up. After the benediction and Retiring of Colors, a lunch of BBQ pork sandwiches and cake was served.