November 2, 2007

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to host Veterans Day Ceremony at Union Grove
“Honoring All Who Served”

(MADISON) – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs will host Veterans Day programs at the state veterans memorial cemeteries at Union Grove, Spooner and King, with the theme “Honoring All Who Served.”

In southeastern Wisconsin, there will be an 11:00 a.m. ceremony on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, 2007, at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC). The cemetery is located at 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, west of Hwy 45 and north of Hwy 11, just off of County Hwy C (directions are available on the department website). Veterans, their families and the public are invited to attend.

The invited department speaker is Mr. Micabil Diaz-Martinez, Administrator of the Division of Veterans Homes of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He previously served as Deputy Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and before that as the Administrator for the Equal Rights Division, DWD. Mr. Diaz also served as a military attorney (JAG) with the United States Army from 1992-1997. Guest Military Speaker will be Colonel Dominic Cariello. Colonel Cariello assumed command of the 57th Field Artillery Brigade in 2004, and was assigned as the Task Force Wisconsin Commander for the Hurricane Katrina disaster on August 2005 and as a task force Wisconsin Commander for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Also speaking will be Walter M. Stenavich of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs. Stenavich served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 aboard submarines in the Pacific. He was appointed to the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs in 2001, including as Chairman from January 2004 through January 2005.

Master of Ceremonies will be Marian Lewandowski, Jr., Cemetery Director. Korean War Veterans of America Post #227 will post the colors and Patrick Poisl will sound Taps. Grant Seitz will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Sister Linda McClenahan will offer the Invocation and Benediction. Soloist Dana Osinga will sing the National Anthem and other musical selections. This year’s “Wreath of Remembrance “ presenters will be John McGurie and John Seitz. The ceremonial honor guard salute will be presented by the American Legion Post #171 and 1st District Legion Riders from Union Grove, WI. Also featured will be Celtic Nations Pipes & Drums.

Established in 1996 next to the Southern Wisconsin Center campus in Union Grove, Wisconsin, the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery provides a final resting place of honor for those who served.

“On this Veterans Day let us thank our veterans and those who serve, providing assistance to them to receive the benefits and services they’ve earned,” said Lewandowski. “Let us also stand united in our resolve and remember the men and women who helped preserve our nation’s freedom.”

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 the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner, at 1:00 p.m.

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum, located at 30 W. Mifflin St. on the Capitol Square in Madison, will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on November 11.

The public is invited to attend these events. For further information, go to www.dva.state.wi.us/veteransday or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).