May 2, 2006

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to host Memorial Day Ceremony at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Union Grove

(MADISON) -- The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs announces a Memorial Day ceremony to be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) at Union Grove, Wisconsin, as part of various commemorative ceremonies statewide during the Memorial Day weekend. In recognition of all veterans who have served, this year’s Memorial Day theme is: “Remembering Their Sacrifice.”

“It is important that citizens take time to remember those who lost their lives in support of our nation, and those who served and are no longer with us -- from the foot soldiers of our earliest history to those recently lost during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,” said WDVA Secretary John A. Scocos. “We honor them by remembering their sacrifice,” he said.

The SWVMC Memorial Day Program will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. The cemetery is located at 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, Wis. Veterans and the public are invited to attend.

Secretary John A. Scocos, of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, will provide welcoming comments. Guest speakers will include: Ken Black, Administrator of the Division of Veterans Benefits of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; Army Reservist Captain Billie Lawler; and, Army Reservist Margaret Frittitta, of the 452D Combat Support Hospital. Serving as Master of Ceremonies will be Marian Lewandowski, Jr., Cemetery Director. The Korean War Veterans Association, Post 227, will post colors. Taylor Jarocki, Eagle Scout, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Bill Althaus of Piaseki-Althaus Funeral Home of Racine will perform the National Anthem. Musical selections will be provided by the Milwaukee American Legion Band, Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums. SSG John Canter, a chaplain’s assistant in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, will offer the invocation and benediction. Taps will be sounded and a rifle salute will be presented by American Legion Post #171, Union Grove. Members of the Commemorative Air Force will conduct a flyover during the ceremony, weather permitting.

The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 767, will present a Remembrance Table ceremony, with living static displays of the "Last Patrol" and "Vietnam Nurses Statue."

In addition to the ceremony at Union Grove, WDVA will also host Memorial Day ceremonies at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (NWVMC) in Spooner, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, and on Monday, May 29 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, at 9:30 a.m. lakeside and then at 10:00 a.m. at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (CWVMC) at King.

Dedicated in May 1998 and operated by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the SWVMC is located on County Highway C near Union Grove to serve veterans and their families in southern and southeastern Wisconsin.

For further information about WDVA events, go to www.dva.state.wi.us or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).