Friday, 5/26

If for no other reason than the way the weather's been recently it’s hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend in here, but it is, and that means three things--

The first is that it’s the beginning of “summer”. This year, I’ll believe that when (and if) I see it, but I’m hoping that summer does join us SOME month soon; if not, that may be my sanity that you’re scraping off the wall.

Secondly, it means Loraine's parents will be visiting for a few days, and that's always a fun thing, especially because we get to show them all the Marquette restaurants that have opened since they were here last year. So if I look two or three pounds heavier next week, you'll know why!

Finally, the fact that it’s the Memorial Day weekend means that we’re s’posed to devote a little thought to those people for whom this weekend was designed, the people who paid the ultimate price so we can live the way we live.

Here’s the story of one of them. It's a story I've probably told before, but I think it's perfect for this weekend.

Buried under a birch tree in Marquette’s Park Cemetery, not far from the Kaufman Mausoleum, lies a young man named Ralph Ellis. Ralph was a native of L’Anse who came to Marquette in the late 1930’s to attend classes at Northern Michigan College of Education (now, of course, NMU). While at Northern, Ralph played on the football team and joined a fraternity, and fell in love with a local girl named Margaret Kepler.

Just before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Ralph was drafted into the U.S. Navy, and became an aircraft test pilot stationed in California. Every chance he could, he came back to Marquette to visit Margaret and her family. They became engaged in late 1942, and in June of 1943, Margaret and her mother took the train out to the West Coast, where Ralph was still test-flying new Navy planes. On July 1^st, 1943, Ralph and Margaret were married, and took off on a week-long honeymoon to Yosemite. After their return, Ralph returned to duty as a test pilot. His first day back, July 9^th, 1943, he was killed when the plane in which he was flying crashed.

He and Margaret had been married 8 days.

Margaret and her mother, who were still in California, had Ralph’s body brought back to Marquette with them, and buried in Park Cemetery. In fact, if you ever find Ralph Ellis’ headstone, you’ll find he’s buried right next to his in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. F.J. Kepler. For her part, Margaret was married—and widowed—twice more before passing away in 2001.

There are many stories like that in cemeteries across Upper Michigan; if you have a few moments this weekend, and it’s actually nice outside, maybe go for a stroll in one of them, and say “thanks” to all those we’re supposed to honor this weekend. I have feeling I'll be doing just that.

So on that note, have yourself a great 3-day weekend. I'm sure Ralph would want you to.

(jim@wmqt.com)