May 18, 2007

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 Memorial Day ceremonies will take place throughout the state with the theme this year of “Land of the Free because of the Brave.”

The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 27th, 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 Walter M. Stenavich of Racine will speak. Mr. Stenavich served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 on the submarines in the Pacific. After his military service and higher education his civilian career included 35 years in education retiring in 1986. Also speaking will be CDR (Ret) Janet S. Geller – the Acting Director of Healthcare Business, Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes.

Master of Ceremonies will be Marian Lewandowski, Director of the SWVMC. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7924 will post colors. Aaron Mianecki, Eagle Scout, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Penny Langel from Kenosha will sing the National Anthem and two other pieces. Musical selections will be provided by the Milwaukee American Legion Band, Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums. Father Joseph Bedski, retired from St. Mary’s in Burlington, will offer the invocation and benediction. Taps will be sounded by Dan Miller and a rifle salute will be presented by Agerholm–Gross, Marine Corps League 346 from Racine. 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.”

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 27th, and on Monday, May 28th 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.

Further information about the Memorial Day Ceremony at Union Grove contact the SWVMC office at (262) 878-5660. For more information on Wisconsin 2007 Memorial Day programs and ceremonies, as well as resources about Memorial Day and WDVA benefits and services, visit our Home page at www.dva.state.wi.us or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).