Memorial Day begins early for Honor Guard members each year, as they stop at the various cemeteries dotted across the county.

It’s important to make that effort, said Cloquet Combined Honor Guard Captain Rich Chasse.

“What we do, what people do when they go to these programs and cemeteries, it honors those veterans who died in combat,” said Chasse, who joined the military during Vietnam, but is a Korean service veteran, having served three tours there. “They made it possible for us to be able to hold these ceremonies and celebrate these holidays that we have.”

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