(MADISON) - Locally, there will be a 1:00 p.m. ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, on Veterans Day, 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, veterans’ families and the public are invited to attend.

The keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. USA (Ret) Andrew M. Schuster, Director of Public Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). As the Public Affairs Director he is responsible for the department’s overall outreach and public relations activities.

Schuster is native of Shell Lake. He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in November 1965. After four years as an enlisted soldier he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1969. Completing numerous command and leadership positions his last assignment was with the Wisconsin Army National Guard as the Assistant Adjutant General for Readiness and Training, culminating with over 39 years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve, retiring in 2005 with the Rank of Brigadier General.

He is a graduate of the United States Army War College and received a Master of Science in Public Administration from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Military decorations include the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Schuster and his wife Frederica and family reside in Madison, Wisconsin.

Also speaking will be SGT Gabe Schauf of New Richmond who was deployed to Iraq in 2004 with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal w/V Device and Good Conduct Medal.

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 Irv Yelle. World War II Veteran (Purple Heart Recipient) Herbert Zimmer will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Veterans from their respective service branch along with their families will post the service flags. Pastors Will & Carolyn Mowchan will offer the Invocation and Benediction. The National Anthem will be sung by Kurt Kunkel and the Webster High School Band will perform during the ceremony. Ray Boeckman, Sawyer CVSO, will read the “Missing Man Remembrance.” Veterans David Lauritsen & Mike Gallaty will place the Wreath of Remembrance. The ceremonial honor guard salute will be presented by the Brask-Fossum-Janke American Legion Post #158 from Grantsburg, WI.

Operated by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and dedicated in June 2001, the cemetery is centrally located on Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Superior to serve veterans and their families in northern Wisconsin.

"Our cemetery is a lasting monument to achievements and sacrifices of northern Wisconsin veterans on behalf of our nation and freedom throughout the world," said Matthew Bergs, Director of the NWVMC. "It is fitting to honor them on Veterans Day."

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos added, "I encourage all citizens, young and aged, to honor veterans not just this day, but throughout the year."

The WDVA will also be hosting Veterans Day ceremonies at:  the Marden Center Multi-Purpose Room at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, at 10:30 a.m. and at Maurer Hall at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove, at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend these events.

For further information about the Veterans Day Ceremony at the NWVMC in Spooner call (715) 635-5360. For information on Veterans Day, go to www.WisVets.com/VeteransDay or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).