Whitewater community honors deceased veterans
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
Members of the Whitewater community, including scouts from Pack 173 and their leaders, gathered together at Hillside Cemetery May 21 in recognition of Memorial Day.
The recognition looked to honor deceased veterans and their sacrifices to keep America free.
Prior to placing American flags on veterans’ graves by those in attendance, State Sen. Steve Nass, an Air National Guard veteran, led a brief ceremony that included the Pledge of Allegiance, a rifle volley, and the playing of Taps.
Nass, a Whitewater native, graduated from Whitewater High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He said it’s important to remember fallen military members.
“Let there be no doubt, military members who are at eternal rest here in this cemetery would be elated to know that members of their community have gathered here today, as a family, to remember them – and their sacrifice,” he said.
Nass asked the audience if they were living each day in a way that would make the sacrifice by fallen soldiers worth it.
In turning to the veterans and members of American League Post 173 assisting in the ceremony, Nass commended them for serving the country.
“As a veteran of the armed forces, you heard your nation’s call and answered it. You were asked to be faithful to her honor, and you have been faithful. You were asked to defend your country with your life, and you defended it… The Whitewater community and a grateful nation offer you their sincerest gratitude for your service and your sacrifice. You have made us proud, and you have kept us free,” Nass said.
“Tonight, go to bed knowing that our men and women in uniform around the world are ready, if necessary, to immediately step into harm’s way to defend you and me, and out freedom, just like those here at eternal rest did, generation after generation,” he concluded.
The ceremony also included naming 32 Whitewater residents and veterans who have passed away since last year’s Memorial Day ceremony: Curt A. Anderson, Arleigh D. Aschebrooke, Michael L. Bacon, Rodney D. Berg, Robert K. Brown, Robert N. Burrows, Eugene J. Frodl, Vernon C. Greenquist, Roger Helming, David Koch, Kyle J. Koebler, Richard W. Landsee, David A. McComb, Harold Miles, Ralph G. Mundinger, Bryan Nelson, Richard V. Regelein, Edward A. Ritter, Neil F. Rolli, Robert L. Rowley, Einer E. Scheuerman, Keith R. Seward, Victor F. Shober, Robert Shuman, Arthur Speerbrecher, Gary K. Stone, Charles F. Timm, Robert H. Wright, Gerald Wynn, Aurelio “Paul” Yvarra Jr., Paul Zimmerman, and Eric Paul Zipp.
