Grandpa and granddaughter to march together
Grandpa and granddaughter to march together
By STEPHEN STACY, Journal Ishpeming Bureau
MICHIGAMME — Michigamme resident Donald Howe, 81, is looking forward to this Fourth of July parade even more so than in past years.
Not only will Howe be marching in his 47th July 4 parade as part of the Michigamme VFW Color Guard — his granddaughter Melissa Marshal, 25, will be joining him.
Marshal also served in the Army — as a supply specialist — and returned from a one-year-tour in Iraq in December of 2004.
“We talk quite a bit and we’re very close — I have a wonderful family,” Howe said. “I asked Melissa if she’d come up for the parade and she said she’d be happy to come.”
“I’m really honored to be here,” Marshal said. “I think it’s really special that my grandfather and I will be able to march together in the parade.”
Although Marshal no longer serves in the military, she currently lives at Ft. Lewis in Washington with her husband who is still serving.
Howe, who served in the European Theatre during World War II with the 17th Transportation Corp., said he was worried when he learned of his granddaughter’s deployment to Iraq. “That’s my girl — I have experience in that field, so I knew what to expect. It’s no picnic.”
As part of her long journey to Michigamme, Marshal first flew from Washington to Texas to meet up with her mother Denise and little sister, Brittney. The trio then drove 24 hours over two days before arriving at Howe’s home.
“It was a lot of quality time together,” Marshal said with a sigh.
Marshal said she was proud to have served her country and believes we are succeeding in Iraq.
“A lot of the people in Iraq are happy to have us there,” Marshal said. “It definitely made me very grateful for the opportunities we have here in the United States.”
The fourth of July parade will kick off on Main Street in downtown Michigamme at 11 a.m.
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