May 27, 2015 at 4:59 p.m.
Rhinelander community pays tribute to those lost to war
Rhinelander community pays tribute to those lost to war
By Kayla Thomason-
Persistent precipitation meant the city's annual river ceremony was canceled and the courthouse ceremony went to its fall-back location at RHS.
"I thought (the ceremony) was excellent," said Ray Zastrow, emcee for the ceremony. "This was not the way it was supposed to go, but then of course we got the rain and we used this assembly and it worked out quite well for us. I think we got the point across, which is that Memorial Day is for the veterans that were killed guarding yours and my freedom."
Zastrow was in the National Guard and Army. He is affiliated with the veteran organizations in town.
"I'm just glad that people are taking it to heart and actually doing what they should be doing today, which is honoring those folks that were killed for us or for our freedom," Zastrow said.
The Rhinelander High School band was on stage behind the podium. Throughout the ceremony the young musicians performed patriotic songs including "God Bless America."
The RHS Show Choir sang "The Star Spangled Banner," and "In Flanders Fields."
Together the RHS band and choir performed the "Armed Forces Medley." Those in the audience who served in the five branches stood for their respective song.
"(I) loved the turnout," said Pat Doyle, who has attended many Memorial Day ceremonies in the 40 years she has lived in the Northwoods. "As I turned around and looked, it looked like the majority of the seats were filled and I love the way a lot of younger people come and they bring their kids. The band and the choir - for four years those kids are involved singing patriotic songs and recognizing and becoming more aware of what's been done for our country."
Pastor Ken White, Rhinelander Mayor and U.S. Army veteran Dick Johns, and Brendan McGuire, the 2015 Veterans' Council scholarship winner, spoke to the audience during the ceremony.
Silence swept the auditorium during the roll call for Oneida County veterans who passed away between May 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015. Veterans put red flowers on a white cross as each name was read.
"It's really sad all the guys that got killed, that's how it is," said George Maloney, a proud Marine who was on the front lines.
He served a little over two years before he was wounded in Okinawa, Japan, effectively ending his career.
This was Maloney's first time attending Rhinelander's ceremony. He said it was heartwarming.
"I think it's great, super great, couldn't be any better could it?" Maloney asked. "There's a lot of good people here."
Maloney wasn't the only person in the audience who was pleased with the ceremony.
"It was wonderful," said Sharon Cutler. "It's something that we have to remember to continue doing. We have to remember our vets and all they did for us."
She has attended the Rhinelander Memorial Day ceremony for the past six years.
"I thank Rhinelander for doing it, I think it's a great honor to attend these things and I thank them," she said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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