MEMORIAL DAY 2010

Tomah VA Medical Center May 28, 2010 P A G E 7 P A G E 2 Tomah VAMC Memorial Day Program Tomah High School Band PRE-CEREMONY MUSIC KEYNOTE SPEAKER Tomah High School Band Steve Bradley, son of Iwo Taps Jima flag raiser, Jack Bradley Tomah High School Band INTRODUCTION POST-CEREMONY Master of Ceremonies Dixie MUSIC James Theres Tomah High School Band Tomah High School Band Public Affairs Officer DELIVERY Of COLORS INVOCATION LTC Catherine Kemmerling Ice Cream social Chaplain Ivan Torres Riding “Lentho”

PRESENTATION OF TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN COLORS Jeff Evanson, USAF Lady Liberty Juneau County Veterans Natalie Hackbarth, RN Tom Teeples, US Army (Ret) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Jean Villhauer, Food Assembly Operations Led by Band Director Christopher Tubbs

National Anthem BENEDICTION Guests, Tomah High School Band Chaplain Ivan Torres

hospitalized RETIRING OF COLOR Lieutenant Colonel Catherine J. Kemmerling is a 24 year Veteran of the Army, WELCOME th veterans, Juneau County Veterans and a member of the Blue Devil‟s Horse Platoon, a ceremonial unit sponsored by the 88 volunteers Jerald D. Molnar Medical Center Director Regional Support Command at Ft. McCoy, WI. The Blue Devil‟s Horse Platoon has a long and and staff are Flag Raising rich history, dating back to World War II. th invited to an Re-Enactment In 1944 as the 88 Infantry Division was fighting its way across Italy it was burdened by ice cream Steuben American Legion numerous captured German and Italian horses. At the suggestion of the Corps Commander, #446 social General Lucian K. Truscott, a Platoon of volunteers from the 88th Infantry Division, as well as following the units from other divisions in the Theater, was formed to care for, and make use of these horses. program. Message from the Director The Platoon performed mounted scout as well as command projection and civil affairs functions for the division until the end of the war. It also was given the mission of performing mounted patrol duties along the Yugoslav-Italian border until Jim Theres the division was relieved from the Italian Theater. After the st Public Affairs Officer cessation of hostilities, the Platoon was organized under 1 Tomah VAMC Lieutenant John Russell to perform show and sport duties with 608-372-7759 other friendly European nations. Lt Russell imported one horse, Produced through the “Blue Devil” to the United States, and eventually went on to Facilities of the Tomah compete in jumping the 1948 Olympic games. The members of VA Media Center. the Blue Devil‟s Horse Platoon carry on this tradition today, competing in jumping, dressage and tent-pegging, as well as supporting ceremonial events. Lieutenant Colonel Kemmerling

is riding Lentho, a 10 year old Hanoverian gelding that she imported from Germany. She has trained with members of the Jerald D. Molnar, Medical Center Director Queen‟s Household Cavalry in England and also the Calvarie Ere Escorte, in the Netherlands. She

MEMORIAL DAY is one of only two United States Army Soldiers to have earned the Netherlands Military Riding Badge. She currently serves as the Education Coordinator at the Tomah VA Medical Center. P A G E 6 P A G E 3 Scottish Lament ”Flowers of the Forest” Steuben American Legion Post #446 The tune is a Scottish at funerals or special loaning; The Flowers of Lament entitled „Flowers memorial occasions. the Forest are a' wede For the past 40 years a group of dedicated area of the Forest and will be The first verse of the away". veterans have been impressing parade-goers through- played by US Navy song contrasts happier out Wisconsin and the Midwest with their lifelike rec- Veteran John Translating reation of the famous February 23, 1945 flag raising Elliott. It is uncommon on the South Pacific atoll‟s . The thought to be words, “I've months long battle cost the lives of nearly 28,000 U.S. written originally in heard the Marines, more than the D-Day invasion. the 16th century by singing, at the “The float really got started in 1969 or 1970 as a way John Skene to ewe-milking, of remembering the ultimate sacrifice those men gave to their country,” says Robert Scallon, post honor the memory Lasses a-singing commander. of some 12,000 before dawn of “It‟s getting a little harder for us old guys to hold that Scots, including the day; But now crouch throughout an hour-long parade. The knees King James the IV, they are moaning aren‟t what they used to be,” explains Scallon. “We‟re lost in the battle at on every looking for some younger members to carry on the Flodden Field on milking-green; tradition.” Seeing these aging veterans standing stock September 1513 in The Flowers of still for an hour or more often throws spectators the county of the Forest are all off. They‟re not sure exactly what they‟re looking at. Statues? Northumberland. withered away.” “Most of the time people think it‟s statues,” Scallon The words to the lament times with grief at the Story and photo by David Krier says. “Then someone will yell, „Hey, those are real were added in 1756 by losses: “I've heard the Mr. Elliott will play the (Boscobel Dial) people!‟” Then the crowd comes alive.” Jane Elliot of Minto. lilting, at the song during the Veterans Because of the great loss yowe-milking, Lasses WWII Victory parade. associated with this tune, it a-lilting before dawn

is now traditionally o' day; But now they are reserved for performances moaning on milka green

The Color Guard and Firing Salute for the 2010 Memorial Day ceremony is provided by the Juneau County Veterans. In the photo, Tomah VA Medical Center Hall of Heroes inductee, Kenneth Murphy (far left) leads the firing salute.

MEMORIAL DAY 2010 P A G E 4 Memorial Day Origins P A G E 5

The location of the first observance In May of 1966, just in time for the Keynote Speaker of Memorial Day is in dispute. Some Centennial, Waterloo was recognized Steve Bradley Son of Jack Bradley claim the custom of honoring war as the "Birthplace of Memorial Day" by dead began in Boalsburg, the United States Government. This Born and raised in Antigo, WI, Mr. Bradley graduated . Others claim the recognition was long in coming and from Antigo High School 1967; he enlisted in the United custom was originated by some involved hours of painstaking research States Marine Corps in 1967 and served in Viet Nam Southern women who placed flowers to prove the claim. While other 1968, with Lima Company, 3/5, !st Marine Division. He on the graves of both Union and communities may claim earlier received the , and was discharged 1971 Confederate soldiers after the Civil observances of honoring the Civil War with the rank of Sergeant. War. According to one writer, the first dead, none can claim to have been so In 1974 he received a degree in Mortuary Science and Memorial Day service took place on well planned and complete, nor can joined his Father as a Funeral Director in the family May 30, 1866, on they claim the business. Retired 2009.

Belle Isle, a continuity of burial ground for observances that Member of Antigo Veterans Organizations--American Legion-Past Commander, Union soldiers in Waterloo can Finance Officer; 40 et 8-Commissaire Intendant; VFW; DAV-Treasurer; Marine Corps the St. James who had honored League-Judge Advocate; Military Order of the Purple Heart. Also active in community River, at soldiers who had organizations and my church. Richmond, died in the Civil . The War. (July 10, 1923 – January 11, 1994) Jack Bradley was a United States Navy corpsman school The Centennial during World War II, and one of the six men who took part in raising the Flag on Iwo superintendent Celebration that Jima., Bradley was already on the summit of Mount Suribachi with his platoon, when and the mayor year brought Sergeant , Corporal , PFC , PFC and planned the dignitaries from PFC , who had a larger flag on orders to place it so that it could be program of government, seen from great distance, asked him to lend them a hand in raising the flag attached hymns and military, veteran's to a heavy length of pipe. He was the last surviving of the six men. speeches and had the burial ground organizations and descendants of the decorated with flowers. original founders of Memorial Day. A In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a once luxurious home on Waterloo's druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, Main Street, built in 1850, was mentioned at a social gathering that purchased from the county and honor should be shown to the patriotic restored. Now the Memorial Day dead of the Civil War by decorating Museum, it houses artifacts of the first their graves. Memorial Day and the Civil War era. In the Spring of 1866, he again Memorial Day is commemorated each mentioned this subject to General year in Waterloo. The parade, John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. speeches, and solemn observances General Murray embraced the idea keep the meaning of Memorial Day as and a committee was formulated to it was originally intended to be. John “Jack” “Doc” Bradley plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.