May 16, 2008

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 (WDVA) announces that Memorial Day ceremonies will take place throughout the state with the theme this year of "May We Always Remember."

"Memorial Day is set aside as a national day of observance to honor and remember the fallen from all American wars, the men and women who have died in service to our country," said WDVA Secretary John A. Scocos.

The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. The cemetery is located on the Southern Wisconsin Center Campus at 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove. Veterans and the public are invited to attend. 

Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs member Peter J. Moran of Superior in Douglas County will speak. He was appointed to the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs to a six-year term ending May 1, 2009. Moran is a retired Colonel of the United States Army Reserves, having served for 30 years from 1964 to 1994, including as Commander of the 205th Ordnance Platoon in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. 

Also speaking will be Navy Command Master Chief Aloysius (Ali) Nelson, a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War. During his career, Nelson completed a total of ten deployments in which he operated in the Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Caribbean. He served as the Command Master Chief for Transient Personnel Unit, Great Lakes Ashore, and later as a Recruit division Commander and Military Training Director LCPO at Great Lakes, Ill., where he earned his designation as a Master Training Specialist. 

Master of Ceremonies will be Marian Lewandowski Jr., Director of the SWVMC. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Auxiliary will post the colors lead by the Celtic Nations Pipes & Drums. C.K. Pier Badger Camp #1 and Auxiliary #4 will speak to the public on the significance of Memorial Day to honor veterans of all wars. Eagle Scout Eric Jensen of Troop 105 of Racine will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Father Jeffery Small of Racine will offer the Invocation and Benediction. The National Anthem will be played by the Milwaukee American Legion Band. Other musical selections will also be performed. The Remembrance Table ceremony will be presented by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 767. Agerholm-Gross, Marine Corps League 346 of Racine will place the Wreath of Remembrance and present the ceremonial honor guard salute. A wreath will also be presented by Blue Star Mothers of Southeast WI, Chapter 2 which was recently formed on September 11, 2007.

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 25th, and on Monday, May 26th 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 2008 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/MemorialDay or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).