Hundreds of people gathered for the annual Memorial Day program at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano, where warm and sunny weather Monday provided a counterpoint to the solemnity of the ceremonies.
“Memorial Day recognizes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day recognizes those who have given the last full measure of devotion for their nation,” said Retired U.S. Army Gen. Robert Cone, the program’s main speaker.
Cone, who retired here with his wife, Jill, on May 1, said they were proud to make Shawano their home.
“Since we first started spending time up here some seven years ago, I have been tremendously impressed by the strength and commitment of veterans organizations in the local area,” he said.
Cone said the large turnout for the ceremony showed the community’s appreciation for the importance and significance of Memorial Day.
“It says a great deal about your understanding of the origins of freedom and the liberties you enjoy today,” he said.
Other speakers included Bethany Bergmann, reading an essay that won her this year’s Voice of Democracy award from VFW Post 2723 in Shawano.
Bergmann spoke about why she is optimistic about America’s future, in spite of an opening litany of ills currently ailing the country.
“American hope is dwindling,” she said, citing the nation’s debt, scandals, security threats and government shut-downs.
“My generation is pitied. Americans shake their heads in despair, seemingly admitting that the next generation will be the next Rome, destined to watch a great nation fall to the dust,” she said.
But, Bergmann said, there is enough hope to drown out the voices of impending doom. She said the country has faced difficult times before and has ridden them out.
“I’m not just optimistic about America’s future, but convinced about America’s future,” she said. “My generation and the next generation will continue expanding what America began.”
County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann spoke of his experience serving in Vietnam.
“Being a veteran is probably the most important thing that I am proud of, having served this great county,” he said.
Erdmann was wounded in the war and said his life changed after that.
“From that moment on, I made it a passion of mine that no one will forget what our men and women in the military service do for us,” he said.
“As I stand here today, just remember one thing, and the word is, ‘remember,’” Erdmann said.
The program began with a parade from Huckleberry Harbor to the cemetery, featuring a color guard and Shawano middle and high school marching bands.
Mayor Lorna Marquardt said she always fights back tears watching what she said was her favorite community parade.
“It is solemn and quiet. It is meaningful watching the veterans making their way down the street,” she said.
Marquardt said seeing the community pay tribute to their hometown heroes “makes me so proud of our community and proud to be an American.”
The program also featured comments from master of ceremonies Dennis Bohm and Shawano County Veterans Services Officer Nick Benzinger, musical presentations from the marching bands and Wolf River Harmony, and invocation and benediction from the Rev. Luke Ferris of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Placement of the memorial wreath was performed by Commander Lyle Hagen and Auxiliary President Candi Gipe of VFW Post 2723.
The Qualheim family was also presented with a plaque for their annual donation of flags for the Memorial Day cememonies.
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