OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE BY A LOCAL/ADC

Three Sons of Ispheming Monument — Local 2 Michigan

Ishpeming, Michigan has a unique claim to fame. Three historically prominent Americans were born and spent part of their lives growing up there: aeronautical engineer Clarence “Kelley” Johnson, chemist Dr. Glenn L. Seaborg, and John D. Voelker—a lawyer, Michigan Supreme Court Justice and bestselling author.

It had been a long-standing dream of retired Parks and Recreation Director Bob Mariette to honor their lasting and historical significance to America with a monument erected at the Ishpeming Heritage Plaza. BAC Local 2 Michigan was brought in to fulfill the promise of ideas.

The first order of business was to remove the old and broken up Heritage Bike Trail and reroute it slightly to accommodate the monument. Local artist Mike Leppinen began work on the clay models of the individuals to be placed on the monument.

BAC member Alex Sovoy and Bob Mariette worked on the design. Two apprentices and one journeyworker joined Sovoy to start, but many other union brothers pitched in as they could. Finally, the lettering was installed, and the bronze casting was mounted.

The monument was dedicated on July 4, 2021, with family members of the honorees at the event. During the ceremony, all the BAC Local 2 Michigan members who volunteered on the project were recognized.