Veterans Day reminds members of the Bonduel Zernicke-Wegner American Legion Post 217 how proud they were to serve their country.
“I’m glad to be part of it,” said Fred Klevesahl, sergeant at arms and an Army veteran who served in Germany during the Korean War.
Richard Barkhaus, finance officer and Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War, said he gets emotional when he marches in the Bonduel Fourth of July parade.
“When you march, the streets are packed with people who stand up and salute,” he said.
William Thiede, the post’s commander who served during the Korean War in Germany, said he respects people who gave up their personal lives to serve.
“I’m honored to be classified with the veterans who have served their country,” said Thiede, who has been a member of the post for 61 years. “People thank you for your service.”
The post will be part of the Veterans Day program at Bonduel High School. They are treated to breakfast by the student council prior to the program in the gym.
Each year the post sponsors the Bonduel Senior American Legion baseball team, Badger Boys and Girls state representatives, an American Legion scholarship, and six or seven additional scholarships to Bonduel High School students.
The post contributes to five Wisconsin veterans hospitals and conducts final honorary funeral rites for veterans.
“If they served their country, we will bury them,” Thiede said.
The post participates in Youth Government Day in April and has a Memorial Day program at the Bonduel Community Archives. Those who are able march in the Bonduel Fourth of July parade; those who can’t march, ride in vehicles.
In July, the post’s color guard presented the colors at the John Locke Golf Outing at Golden Sands and in August participated in a special color guard ceremony at the opening of the Shawano County Fair.
A loan closet is available from the post. Anyone, not just veterans, is able to borrow medical supplies such as hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs and crutches, free of charge.
“We do it as a community service,” Thiede said.
The post is fortunate to be financed by an invested donation from a deceased member.
The post would like to recruit more veterans who have served during a time of conflict. They do not have to have been in combat.
“We’d like to get the young guys going,” Barkhaus said. “By being a Legion member, you have access to a lot of information.”
Membership is open to those who served in World War II, December 1941 to December 1946; Korean War, June 1950 to January 1955; Vietnam War, February 1961 to May 1975; Lebanon/Granada, July 1984; Panama, December 1989 to January 1990; and Gulf War, from August 1990 to present.
“Bonduel extends a welcome to you,” Thiede said.
Other post officers are Gerald Diemel, first vice commander; Daniel Diemel, second vice commander; Cindy Craig, adjutant and chaplain; James W. Luepke, post service officer; and Reynold Schmidt, sergeant at arms.
They meet at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the Hartland Town Hall. For more information, call Thiede at 715-758-8448.
Categories
