Support Our Troops committee unveils new statue in Veteran’s Park
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
Despite heavy snow and wind, Nov. 24 couldn’t have been a better day to dedicate a new statue at Veteran’s Park in honor of troops who had served in conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Middle East, Southwest Asia and around the world, as Monday marked the 508th, and final, Walworth County Support our Troops rally.
After ten years and having met more than 500 times since its inception, the group met for its final official meeting, now that to their knowledge, all Walworth County soldiers have either returned home or are no longer in areas of conflict.
Bob Webster – who along with his wife and a dedicated group of volunteers from area American Legion posts – has led the weekly meetings every Monday, a reminder for those with family members serving overseas not only are they not alone, but they’re family members have not been forgotten about.
Webster said Monday following the dedication of the new monument paid for by the committee, over the years he’s held onto a wish, a dream.
“That was that I would live to see the last of our deployed troops come home,” Webster said, noting the last of troops known to be in active combat had recently returned to Germany and would be on her way home soon.
“Who’d have thunk it, who’d have thunk we could have done this for ten years and have accomplished a few things.”
State of Wisconsin American Legion Commander Bob Schappel, in attendance Monday, said he commends and thanks the work of the committee and volunteers who have worked together to show support for troops deployed overseas.
Speaking on the topic of the new monument, Schappel said when a memorial is dedicated, it’s there, but it’s important not to forget about it. He said every memorial is unique, but not because of its appearance or where it’s placed.
“What’s really unique about it is it represent the character of the community,” he said. “It shows the community cares, the community wants to remember and recognize.”
Schappel said the purpose of the memorial, like the one unveiled moments earlier, is to remember the fallen, though it’s equally important to remember those fallen are the sons and daughters of the community.
“When they give their lives, the community gives a little part of their lives as well,” he said.
While being a form of remembrance, Schappel noted a memorial’s importance as a healing symbol as well, a symbol of how the community comes together to move towards the future.
“What those individuals have given, what the community has given and what the community does now to remember them,” he said.
Schappel continued, noting he too has had individuals close to him fall in combat and often thinks back to a quote from General George Patten about his fallen soldiers:
“It’s foolish and it’s wrong to continue to mourn these men. Rather, what we need to do, is thank God that these men lived.”
“That is what I’d like to leave with you when you look at this memorial,” Schappel said. “Be thankful that these men and women lived and were willing to do what they did for their community. And that you as a community has stepped up and embraced that and said, they were a part of us, they’ll always be a part of us, and we’ll remember.”
The battlefield cross
John Miller, a veteran of the Gulf War, who along with his son Richard, also a veteran, unveiled the statue during Monday’s ceremony, described the origins of the battlefield cross, which the statue depicts.
According to Miller, the battlefield cross dates back to about the American Civil War, when the practice of returning fallen soldiers home for burial or burying them in designated cemeteries near the battlefield began.
Following a battle, soldiers moved through the battlefield marking the bodies that needed to be recovered, the most convenient marker being the soldier’s rifle with the fixed bayonet stuck into the ground and the soldier’s hat placed on top.
During World War II, Miller said the bodies of fallen comrades were often buried in shallow graves as enemies were rapidly approaching. Once again, a rifle with a bayonet placed into the ground and a helmet placed on top indicated where fallen soldiers were buried so the remains could be recovered later for proper identification and burial.
“Overtime, this image became to be associated with military loss,” Miller said.
During the more recent conflicts in the middle east that have stemmed from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Miller said the battlefield cross began to attract more attention with numerous units erecting the crosses to commemorate their comrades.
While the Pentagon does not typically permit publication of images of flag-draped coffins, Miller said the battlefield cross has come to be used as a “poignant reminder of the cost of war.”
“Although the battlefield cross itself is not an official military honor, it does play a part in the memorial ceremony as a visible reminder of a fallen soldier,” he said.
“Many unit commanders have recognized the value of the memorial, encouraging members of their units to pay their respects to fallen comrades and sometimes holding ceremonies at the site of the battlefield cross memorial.
Miller said the helmet and the identification tags signify the fallen soldier. The inverted rifle with bayonet, signals a time for prayer, “a break in the action to pay tribute to our friend.”
“The combat boots, worn and dirty, represent the final march of the soldier’s last battle,” Miller said. “This monument now stands as a constant reminder of the price of our freedom.”
Recognizing the Websters
Bob and Lavonne Webster were recognized by two agencies for their dedication to Walworth County troops overseas and their community and families back home.
First and foremost, Walworth County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nancy Russell spoke on behalf of the County Board, which passed a resolution Nov. 12 recognizing the couple for their years of support.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you for your service,” she said.
Along with a copy of the resolution honoring the Websters and the Support the Troops Committee, Russell presented a binder to the Websters, which contained numerous photos, newspaper clippings about the rallies from local papers and a few blank pages to add photos from Monday’s final meeting.
Additionally, Cameron Clark, a representative from Congressman Paul Ryan’s office, attended Monday’s meeting to honor Bob Webster for his dedication to the committee, and dedication to honoring troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past ten years.
Clark noted the multiple rallies, the tons of care packages they committee has sent to soldiers overseas and numerous fundraising efforts.
“You’re steadfast commitment and loyal service to our service personnel and their families truly serve as an example for us all,” he said.
And last but not least, the Webster’s son, Bob Webster Jr., presented a bouquet of roses to his father to present to “his assistant,” over the years, Lavonne.
