MAY 2019
A soldier presents the U.S. flag to Diana Hubbard in honor of her late husband, Thomas, an Air Force veteran. Students participating in 2019 Youth Government Day bear witness outside the Oconto County Courthouse on April 24. Wayne Lavigne, pictured on the left, was a longtime friend of Thomas and Diana. When Thomas did not receive military honors at his funeral in August of 2016, Wayne contacted The American Legion VA Office for assistance. With The American Legion’s assistance, a formal flag presentation was made to Diana, with a firing squad salute and the playing of taps in honor of her late husband.
POST UP The 2019 Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial Ceremony and Program will be held on Sunday, June 2nd, beginning at 10:45 a.m. This event will be held at the WI Korean War Veterans Memorial in Plover. Korean War veterans and their families, veterans from all branches of service, and the public are invited to attend. Representatives from the Korean Consulate, WI National Guard and WI Department of Veterans Affairs have been invited to speak. The WI Korean War Veterans Memorial pays tribute to Wisconsinites who fought, died, or are still missing as a result of the Korean War. The memorial features a series of larger-thanlife bronze statues as its centerpiece. The figures represent various U.S. armed forces that took part in the war. None of the figures carry a weapon, conveying that peace is the ardent hope of all veterans. Directions: take Interstate HWY 39 to County HWY B in Plover. Head west one block to Village Park Drive. Turn left on Village Park Drive and you will be directed to the parking area.
Posts throughout Wisconsin display patriotism and American pride while being active in their communities. This supplement showcases how The Wisconsin American Legion Family supports the four pillars upon which we were founded. Submit your news to: badger@wilegion.org
TOMBSTONE HEADED HOME Military veteran to receive monument 95 years after his death
“We don’t know when the stone was delivered,” said Kunz, noting Nellie Brill died in 1939. (She, too, is buried at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.) “Obviously, it was lying around someplace for quite a few years.”
He and Glenz tried to find descendants of the Brill family, which disappeared from the area around 1940. Kunz figured the obviBy Christena T. O’Brien ous place to start was with the former owners of the property Ninety-five years after his death, Harry Brill will get the military where the stone was found. There were three, all of whom were dead. However, the grandson of the second owner rehead- stone his mother had ordered for him. Until spring, the called seeing the stone, but he couldn’t remember if it was durwhite stone — once covered in dirt and moss from the Eau Claire County town of Ludington — is tucked away at Hammond ing his childhood or later in life while deer hunting. The third owner was a former teacher in Hammond, and Kunz talked to Monument. his son, who said his dad and another teacher were business As soon as the weather allows, American Legion Post 432 will partners. The pair bought properties, including the one belongmake sure the stone is placed by the small one marking Brill’s grave in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Hammond. (A full mili- ing to the Brills, and sold them. “He said, ‘I remember my dad (and his partner) looking at that tary ceremony will be held on Friday, May 31st at 11:00 a.m.) “He was a veteran, so of course, we want to put his stone where old stone out in one of the sheds on the Brill property,’ but he said, ‘I don’t have any idea when it was brought down here.’” it’s supposed to be,” said Fred Jourdeans, Post commander. -reprinted from November 24, 2018, Leader-Telegram
That was precisely what Gary Kunz hoped for when he contacted Jourdeans about the tombstone. About two months ago, Kunz was contacted by a longtime acquaintance whose son was building a house just up the road from him in the town of Ludington. On the son’s property they had found a tombstone.
“I still wonder why would you cart a stone that weighs 150 to 200 pounds way down here and dump it in the woods?” Kunz said.
“I immediately recognized it as a military tombstone, the type you would see at Arlington or Snelling,” he said, referring to Arlington and Fort Snelling National cemeteries, two of the United States’ military cemeteries. “It was kind of covered up with debris, so Bob and I cleaned it up as best we could, and we were able to read the name,” Kunz said.
“I decided to take it, but then I thought, ‘What are we going to do with it?’” said Kunz, who found himself thinking about Nellie Brill, who wanted the marker for her son’s grave.
Maybe when the partners were cleaning out the Brill property, they decided to bring it to the town of Ludington land, so the “He said, ‘With your history background, I thought you might be new owner didn’t have to move it, he said. Once he and Glenz completed their research, Kunz talked to his interested,’” Kunz said. “I was, and I told him I’d like to see it.” acquaintance Bob again and asked if the Fall Creek Historical Kunz went out one morning with his acquaintance and found Society could take the stone. the stone lying on its back just into the woods a little ways.
The name on the tombstone was Harry Brill, a private who died on June 29, 1924. “The first question I had was what in the Sam Hill is a military tombstone doing laying in the woods here?” Kunz said. Hoping to find out, Kunz called longtime friend Jane Glenz, a retired teacher who is very active in genealogy, and the two decided to divide and conquer. “We decided Jane would look into the Brill family, figure out who they were and their connection to the area,” Kunz said. “That’s what she’s good at.” For his part, Kunz decided to determine who brought the headstone to the town of Ludington and why was it left there. During her research, Glenz discovered the Brills were farmers from Hammond in St. Croix County, and Harry was one of John and Nellie Brill’s children. Harry Brill died in 1924 at either age 33 or 34, and he was bur- ied in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery; a flat stone marks his grave. In March 1936, Nellie Brill applied to the US. War Department for a military headstone for her son. According to her application, Harry Brill enlisted on Aug. 14, 1918, and he was discharged on Jan. 10, 1919.
That prompted Kunz to track down Jourdeans and ask if Post 432 would like the stone. “‘Well yeah,’ he said. ‘We’d put it on Harry’s grave. It’s where it should go. Don’t you think,’” Kunz recalled. “I said, ‘Yeah, we all down here agree that’s where it should go.’” Jourdeans — who knew Brill’s name because he had put out flags at veterans’ graves for Memorial Day — drove down Monday and picked up the stone, which Johnson Monument had cleaned for free. “They did a beautiful job,” Kunz said. “It looks like it just came out of the quarry.” Nellie Brown would be proud.
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN A very emotional exhibit, “Remembering Our Fallen” will be displayed July 12-14 at American Legion Post 240 in Baldwin, WI to remind Americans of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who died from wounds suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan while wearing our country’s uniform. On Saturday, July 13, a special ceremony will honor the Fallen, as well as their Gold Star families. The memorial includes 31 Tribute Towers with military and personal photos of almost 5,000 of our nation’s Fallen since 9/11/2001. This memorial was unveiled nationally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 7, 2017. Organizers are still asking for help in contacting Gold Star families to include every single American who has died since 9/11/2001 in The War on Terror. There is no fee to families. We just ask that they visit the web site below and provide basic information and two photos for their Fallen loved one. www.RememberingOurFallen.org This national memorial also includes a Tribute Tower to recognize our service men and women who died from training accidents or attacks while stationed stateside or on our overseas bases. And those who return from war with the invisible wounds of PTS and succumb to suicide are included on a Tribute Tower to recognize the tragedy of PTS. “We can never forget those who sacrificed everything for our freedom. We must remember these American Heroes and speak their names when we see their family members,” said Bill Williams, Vice President and co-founder of Patriotic Productions, the non-profit responsible for this memorial. “This memorial is created to travel, stopping in cities and communities all across the nation so more people will have the opportunity to honor and remember our Fallen from one of the longest wars in our nation’s history. We are thankful to American Legion Post 240 in Baldwin, WI for being one of the first to host this beautiful and somber memorial.” A Directory of the Fallen, along with the tour schedule and additional information, are available at: www.RememberingOurFallen.org
EAGLE SCOUT PLACES FLAGPOLE Jasyn Bachtell, a Life Scout for Troop 161 out of Roberts and Hammond, placed a flagpole at the St. Croix Central High School Baseball Field. Bachtell did this for his Eagle Scout Project in order to help him complete the Eagle Scout Rank. One of the requirements for completing the Eagle Scout Rank is to plan, develop, and lead others in a service project that benefits a religious institution, school, or their community. Jasyn was given the idea by the head coach of Central’s Baseball Team, Tom Sauve. The American Legion Post 432 helped by donating the flagpole which now resides behind the right field fence. In most High School sporting events the National Anthem is played before the event with an American Flag, but baseball games at Central never had a flag or flagpole. Now at Central baseball games the flag will fly as the anthem plays.
MY OWN LIBRARY—BOOK FAIR
Since 2016, American Legion Post 455 – Milwaukee has participated in “My Own Library – Book Fair,” by partnering with The United Way of Greater Milwaukee County and Waukesha County. The students and teachers are always extremely appreciative of our Legionnaires volunteering to assist with the “My Own Library - Book Fairs. American Legion Post 455 – Milwaukee participates in “My Own Library – Book Fair” three times during each school semester. They actively assist the students in selecting three free books and encourage each student to take their selected books home to start their “Own Library.” In addition to assisting the students, Legionnaires utilize touch screen point-of-sale registers for the purpose of recording total number of books given out. The Wisconsin American Legion Milwaukee County Council, 5thDistrict – American Legion Post 455 – Milwaukee, participated in the “My Own Library - Book Fair” at Townsend Street School K-8th Grade, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 8:00a.m. to 1:30p.m. PHOTO: American Legion Post 455 – Milwaukee Legionnaires (left to right): Brian Pugens, Milwaukee 5th District & Post 455 Milwaukee Commander Craig Ellis, George Hooper.
DISTRICT 8 LEGION RIDERS AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS Each year District 8 Legion Riders select one boy and one girl that are graduating high school seniors to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants from over 50 high schools in the seven county district have the opportunity to vie for one of the scholarships. This year’s recipients are Bo Koehn from Little Wolf High School in Manawa and McKenzie Wilsmann from Marshfield Senior High of Marshfield. Alternates Max Boivin from Nekoosa Senior High and Lauren Messman of Wausau East were chosen should one of the recipients fail to meet enrollment requirements.
King Post 161 has been certified to perform funeral honors at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. Pictured from left to right are Jeffrey Welch, John Whittow, Ron Miller, Gary Lettau and Will Pope. Missing from the picture are Susan Brandl and Conrad Starks.
POST 210 HOLDS PORK CHOP DINNER Getchel-Nelson American Legion Post 210 held their annual spring-time pork chop dinner on Saturday, April 27th, at their club house in Waupun. They served 525 meals which included a large pork chop (from Brandon Meats & Sausages Inc), a baked potato, corn, applesauce, dinner roll, beverage and ice cream treat. Funds help support veterans, student scholarships and local American Legion baseball.
Floyd Smit (back) & Dave Beekman
Deb White, Christina Stachowski, Georgene Mulder, Lorna Pobanz, Bob Bille, Vern Andrews and Dan Prey
NORTHERN ENGRAVING DONATION
The Employees of Northern Engraving of Holmen Wisconsin presented a contribution to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall that came to Holmen May 8 – 11, 2019. Receiving the contribution in this partnership between the American Legion Post 284, VFW Post 7908 and Holmen High School from left to right are Dave Harrison, American Legion Post Commander, Willie E. Stokes Legion Post Adjutant and Wall Chairman, Dan Reid, Northern Engraving, Tim Carrier, VFW Post Commander and Harold Hubert, Legion Honor Guard.
ANGELS OF THE ROAD RIDE FOR VETERANS The Henrizi-Schneider American Legion Post 382 in Menomonee Falls, WI, along with the partnership of the Open Road Angels, an all-female fundraising motorcycle group will be hosting its 2nd annual benefit ride, on Sunday, September 8th, 2019. Proceeds from this ride will benefit the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative. Since 2008, MHVI has helped more than 3,000 atrisk Veterans and their families by providing the services to reach and maintain their highest level of independence. Last year this ride raised and donated $7,000 for their cause. An estimated 300 riders will begin their day at Post 382 with registration at 8 a.m. and rider send off at 9 a.m. Participants will then embark on their travels to partnering Legion Posts in Washington and Waukesha Counties. Participating Posts are American Legion Post 1 in Germantown, Post 522 in Hubertus, Post 294 in Hartland, Post 399 in Okauchee, Post 196 in Delafield, Post 375 in Mukwonago, and Post 449 in Brookfield. Each Post will offer up its own unique activity or food for the riders to enjoy. Don’t ride a motorcycle? No worries this ride is also open to those wishing to participate in their vehicles as well. After visiting with Veterans at each location and getting their Checkpoint Charlie Card stamped, riders will return to Menomonee Falls for a wrap up party which will include food, beverages, raffles, musical entertainment by RC3. Cost to participate is $25 per bike/car plus $15 per additional rider/passenger. Online registration at https:// angelsoftheroad.regfox.com/angelsoftheroad or by visiting the registration link found on our Facebook Page – Angels of the Road Ride for Veterans. This benefit is so much more than just a ride. While participants are out enjoying the tour, the general public is welcome to attend the all-day block party hosted by Menomonee Falls Post 382 featuring bean bag tournament, Farkel tournament, Giant Jenga Challenge, duck races, Milwaukee Harley Jump Start Demo Bike and a children’s painting booth sponsored by Uptown Art of Sussex. So much fun to be had for people of all ages to enjoy. Come join us in helping to change the lives of veterans in need.
On Friday, March 29 the WM. S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital in Madison hosted a “Vietnam Remembrance” program in their auditorium for veterans and visitors. A potted tree was on hand for veterans to tie a yellow ribbon on to signify their remembrances of their tour or friend’s tour during the war in Vietnam. March 29, 1973 was the last day of U.S. Forces in the country. During the program two stories of “My Life My Story” were read of two soldiers’ life experiences brought on by the war. Lapel pins for all Vietnam era veterans were passed out. An unexpected surprise was a lady who was born and raised in Vietnam got up to say THANK YOU to all the Vietnam veterans in attendance. She was very emotional and expressed her and her countries feelings toward our veterans who helped her country. Following the emotional program of an almost filled audience, Hospital Director John Rohrer held a Town Hall Meeting for veterans to air their concerns to the VA. Cake and coffee were served. -submitted by Joseph Hodgson
VA volunteer Jerry Zimbric, American Legion Rep Joe Hodgson, VFW Rep Manny Voeltz
Richland Center American Legion Post 13 proclamation celebrating the 100 charter anniversary. In celebration, special events will be held on July 27, 2019. Visit https://ralphverlinjackson.com.
2019-2022 PCC OFFICERS L-R: Chuck Cooney - Sergeant-at-Arms, Mark Sandow Assistant Finance Officer, Nellie P. De Baker - Second Vice Commander, Mark Lesko - First Vice Commander Nellie P. De Baker, PDVC, PDH presented training for historians January 19, 2019 at Ho-Chunk, Wisconsin Dells. Her 6-part verbal presentation "How To Record American Legion History" took the historian "from an interest point" to "after national judging status." Second trainer, David Schindler, presented "Recording History Through Talking" - the Pros and Cons of Voice-to-Text software that is currently available.
MILITARY DISCOUNTS American Legion members and Sons of The American Legion members receive special discounts through their membership. Learn more about the deals offered at our special discounts page. https://www.legion.org/benefits.