Shawano salutes fallen heroes

Maybe Mother Nature was feeling a little patriotic Monday, but she held off on the rain long enough for area veterans, their families and hundreds of spectators to honor the country’s fallen at the annual Memorial Day observance at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano.

“It’s a good crowd here,” Shawano County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann said. “I swear every year it gets larger and larger.”

Erdmann, a Vietnam veteran, was one of three guest speakers at the event.

“For a lot of us, especially for those of us who have served, Memorial Day ends up being every day,” he said. “Many days my mind goes back to a time, which was my war, in Vietnam. During the heat of battle, during the cries, the screams, the prayers. War is not a nice place to be in. In plain words, war is hell.”

Erdmann said those who served know what war is like.

“We did what our country asked us to do,” he said. “We stepped up. We made the sacrifices. For many, they made the ultimate sacrifice, and today we remember the fact that so many hundred and hundreds of thousands today have made that sacrifice, and they made it so we’d have the ability to join here today and remember. We are here because of the brave men and women who have fought, who have sacrificed.”

Erdmann encouraged everyone to remember those who served and those who have fallen.

“All gave some, but some gave all,” he said.

Shawano Mayor Jeanne Cronce recognized veterans and family members in attendance to a round of applause.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you,” she said.

“I am amazed at how many citizens of our town and county served our country and to whom I owe a huge, huge amount of gratitude, as we all do,” Cronce said.

“It is time to really remember why we celebrate Memorial Day,” she said. “Some people have forgotten why. Some people maybe never knew.”

Cronce gave a brief history of the holiday, which started in the deep south after the Civil War and was called Decoration Day.

“Please continue to support our veterans,” Cronce said. “It is vitally important. They have done us a great service.”

Cronce said she was also happy to see so many youth in attendance.

“We have to continue to let them know what Memorial Day is all about,” she said. “That people have lost their lives so we could have continued freedoms.”

Shawano Community High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz was the keynote speaker.

He said his father and grandfather, as well as his grandfather’s brother, George, all served in the military.

George was lost over Berlin during a bombing raid in World War II.

“I tell this story today because I believe it must be pointed out that even though they know the risk, every day we have men and women willing to make this sacrifice by serving in our military and defending our nation,” Zwirschitz said. “Our men and women who have fought and died for this country earned this day, and they deserve our thanks.”

Dennis Bohm served as master of ceremonies for Monday’s ceremony.

The memorial wreath was placed by Dorothy Gouine, of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and DAV member Dan Wilson.

Firing squad salute was conducted by Ken Lohrengel of AMVETS Post 10, and taps was performed by Brett and Isabella Buettner.

The Rev. Dr. Timm Griffin of St. James Lutheran Church provided invocation and benediction.

Musical presentations were provided by Wolf River Harmony and the Shawano middle and high school bands.

Flags, courtesy of Qualheim’s True Value, were placed on veterans’ graves this year by Boy and Girl Scouts.