May 31, 2017 at 3:43 p.m.
Rhinelander community pauses to remember the fallen on Memorial Day
Rhinelander community pauses to remember the fallen on Memorial Day
By Kayla Thomason-
The VFW/AmVets Honor Guard opened the ceremony by posting the colors, and the RHS Show Choir, directed by Desiree Wattelet, performed "The Star Spangled Banner."
The pledge of allegiance was followed by an invocation by Pastor Ken White and the RHS Band, directed by Connie Piasecki, performed the "Eternal Father."
Tammy Walters, Oneida County Veterans Service Officer and emcee, welcomed the crowd. Her son, Connor Delaney, then shared a brief history of Memorial Day.
Mayor Richard Johns then took to the podium, sharing anecdotes from his time in the service, reflecting on those who didn't make it home.
Ken Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, was the keynote speaker. He shared stories of Rhinelander residents who died in war.
Sydney Zastrow, 2017 Veterans' Council scholarship winner, read the "Gettysburg Address" before the RHS Band and RHS Show Choir performed the "Armed Forces - The Pride of America."
As is tradition, veterans in the crowd stood when their branch's song was sung.
Following the patriotic music, the names of the Oneida County veterans who died between May 1, 2016 and May 1, 2017, were read off and with each name red flowers were solemnly adorned on a white cross.
Once all the names were called, Zastrow read "In Flanders Fields."
Pastor Ken White gave the benediction as the honor guard silently stepped outside. When the benediction was complete a Three Volley Salute was performed under a cloudy sky.
The ceremony ended with Connor Delaney reading the history of "Taps" and the RHS band performing the haunting tune.
Walters thought the Memorial Day ceremony was very well attended and was thrilled to have high school students participate.
"Having the band and choir is wonderful because they do such a great job, so I'm very happy with it," Walters said.
She thought the speeches were meaningfull and loved that Grant personalized his speech to the Northwoods area.
She said she always hopes to see a big crowd at the Memorial Day ceremony.
"I think it's of utmost importance, I mean I understand why people don't stop and think about it but those men and women gave their lives so that we can continue to live in freedom," she said.
Angelia Peter has attended the Rhinelander Memorial Day ceremony for three years and enjoyed this year's event.
"It's very nice, it was done very well," she said.
Her son is in the Boy Scouts and she thinks it's important for him to understand Memorial Day.
"I think it's important that they do it every year especially for kids in the younger generation because they need to understand what the day is more about other than just shopping and three-day weekends," she said.
Her brother-in-law is in the Marine Corps and her father-in-law is an Army veteran, she noted.
Lisa Zarda has attended every Rhinelander Memorial Day ceremony since 2000. She said she wishes the entire community would attend.
"I think it should be almost a requirement for everybody to come to it," she said.
Her brother is a Marine and her father is an Army veteran.
Stephanie Ernst thought the students did a great job and the speeches were eloquent.
"I got a little choked up by a couple of (the speeches), they kind of got me. A couple of them were a little emotional but I think it went really well today," Ernst said.
Nearly every man in her family has entered the military, she noted.
"Take time to honor the men and women, I mean really think about it," Walters said. "If people would stop and think about the sacrifice that was made, whether or not you agree with war does not matter, there are still men and women that sacrificed for them and I want people to think about that and be appreciative about that."
Shortly after the crowd filed out of the high school, big drops of rain plummeted down as if from holes in the floor of heaven.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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