May 13, 2009

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to host Memorial Day Ceremony at Spooner

(MADISON) – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announces that Memorial Day ceremonies will take place throughout the state with the theme this year of "Duty, Honor, Country – This They Believed."

"Memorial Day is a day to honor and pay special tribute to those who have given their lives in the service of our country," said WDVA Acting Secretary Ken Black. "They deserve our thanks and remembrance."

Locally, there will be a ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (NWVMC). The cemetery is located on Veterans Way just off Highway 53, three miles south of Spooner, at N4063 Veterans Way. Veterans, their families and the public are invited to attend. COL James Lewis from Jim Falls, WI is scheduled to speak. He was drafted in 1972, attended Officer Candidate School and served continuously until his recent retirement. He commanded the 724th Engineer Battalion and the 264th Engineer Group and recently served in Iraq where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Also speaking will be William Kloster, representing the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and Chippewa County Veterans Service Officer Mike Haley.

Master of Ceremonies will be Matt Bergs, Director of the NWVMC. The WDVA Military Funeral Honors Team will post the colors, and Taps will be sounded by Dick Hazelton. Ron Moser, Rusk County Veterans Service Officer, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Steve Ward of Webster, WI will offer the Invocation and Benediction. The National Anthem will be sung by Kurt Kunkel, and other musical selections will be performed by The Northwinds Brass Band. 1SG Chris Sower, Retired, will read the “Missing Man Remembrance.” MAJ James Sawyer, Retired will place the Wreath of Remembrance. The ceremonial honor guard salute will be presented by the Lockman/Jensen American Legion 499 of Gordon, WI.

In addition to the ceremony at Spooner, WDVA will also host Memorial Day ceremonies at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) in Union Grove, at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 24th, and on Monday, May 25th 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.

For more information on Wisconsin 2009 Memorial Day programs and ceremonies, as well as resources about Memorial Day and WDVA benefits and services, visit the department website at www.WisVets.com or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).