• Tuesday-What'sUP May 30 - 11:49 am

In April 1951 a young lad from Calumet died in a prison camp in North Korea. He had been captured during a battle in South Korea four months earlier, when he was barely 18 years old.

Arthur Leiviska was born and raised in the Copper Country. Though he was a clean-living, God-fearing Lutheran boy, he lied about his age to join the armed forces bound for the Korean front. Letters home contained the pay he received, to help out the family. Those letters stopped in January of '51, and for the next six decades Private Leiviska would be known as Missing in Action.

Continuing diplomatic efforts with the North Koreans to retrieve fallen American troops were finally successful, and DNA tests proved the earthly remains of Arthur W. Leiviska had been found. The missing pieces of the story of his capture and death at the prison camp were eventually provided by fellow troops. Arthur finally received the honors of a military burial yesterday at Lakeview Cemetery near Calumet.

Hundreds turned out on this sunny Memorial Day afternoon to hear his story and witness the end of that journey. Edie and I had the privilege of being among the supporters, as we delivered flowers from the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor Arthur. Music from the Calumet High School band, and a 21 gun salute concluded a very moving ceremony.

Now in the 15th year of our 'daily glimpse of life from the U.P.' here at Pasty Central, this continuous journey has taken us to many historic, interesting, and beautiful places. Monday afternoon this peaceful cemetery in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula was one of the most memorable.

A very moving story.

Oh my gosh, that story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, Charlie, for bringing this to us. And many thanks to his family for his service. My heart breaks for them.

What a wonderful tribute for Memorial Day ~ one of America's finest finally brought home to rest. God bless all who were involved in solving the mystery, his family, and all those who came out to honor him at the funeral. It is times like these where Americans show their greatness in respect and honor.

I couldn't have said it better, jbuck, thank you for putting my feelings into words!

Amen JBuck...Well Said..thanks.

What a wonderful tribute ! America does not forget its MIAs.

May he rest in peace.

"AMEN" !!!!!!!

Thanks so much for delivering the beautiful flowers on behalf of
our DAR chapter. They are a wonderful tribute...wish I could have
been there.

Kitty

My wife and I were among 30 + Patriot Guard Riders who escorted PFC Leiviska to his final resting place. After 61 years Arther is finally at rest ... at home... in his beloved hometown of Calumet in our beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan.