BEMIDJI – Damage was plainly obvious following the derecho that struck the Bemidji area on June 21.

Just as obvious were the recovery efforts as emergency response crews and community members worked through the rubble wherever they could.

For Bemidji resident Steve Sassano, his work zone was and is the Greenwood Cemetery.

Among the estimated 9 million downed trees in total from the event, the cemetery clocked well over 100 across 40 acres.

Among the lumber, roughly 50 tombstones were completely knocked over and around 200 experienced some level of tilting from the Category 3 hurricane wind speeds. Depending on size and material, some tombstones can weigh over 1,000 pounds, demonstrating the ferocious nature of the event.

Even with continued volunteer efforts throughout the summer, Sa

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