From Oconto to Outagamie: Honoring Northeast Wisconsin's Fallen Heroes Friend, Over the weekend, Americans took time to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our country. Whether it be through gathering at the local American Legion Hall or placing flags at cemeteries, people across the country helped make sure we don't forget the price of our freedoms. While I often find myself reflecting on how we can properly honor the sacrifice of these heroes, I’ve come to the conclusion that, if nothing else, it’s our job to make sure that their stories of courage and sacrifice continue to be told and don’t stay on the battlefield. And the veterans community right here in Northeast Wisconsin has an incredible tradition of doing just that. From the Fox Valley Veteran's Council's Tolling of the Bells to Taps Across America in Green Bay, this weekend our incredible veterans community helped us all find time to both appreciate those who dedicated their lives to service and reflect on the deeper meaning behind Memorial Day. I wanted to include some photos from the ceremonies held across Northeast Wisconsin below, and hope that if you didn't have the chance to attend one this year, you get the opportunity to attend one of these important ceremonies near you next Memorial Day. Semper Fi, Fox Valley Veterans Council's Tolling of Bells: Every Memorial Day Weekend, the Fox Valley Veteran's Council holds a ceremony at the Outagamie County Veterans' Memorial that features a processional walk, reading of the names of veterans on the memorial, laying of flowers, a 21-gun salute, and ringing of a bell to symbolize 7 tolling bells. American Legion Post 523's Remembrance at Abrams Stiles Cemetery: Every year, the American Legion Abrams Machickanee Post 523 holds Memorial Day remembrances at a number of local cemeteries, including the Abrams Stiles Cemetery on St Patrick’s Road. Commander Kevin Hardie led the event and the auxiliary handed out poppies. United Patriotic Society's Celebration at Admiral Flatley Park: The United Patriotic Society (UPS) held their annual Memorial Day celebration at the Admiral Flatley Park in Downtown Green Bay. Larry Heyrman, President of the UPS, led the ceremony. The event brings together many of the veterans organizations in Brown County who throw a bouquet of flowers into the Fox River to help remember those who were lost. Bonduel Memorial Day Ceremony: The Bonduel Lions Club, along with American Legion Post 217 and Celebrate Bonduel, hosted a Memorial Day event to unveil an engraved monument to honor those who have served our country. The event’s guest speaker was Senator Ron Johnson and the Bonduel Band performed. The monument is located in Lions Park to the east of Wayne’s Place in downtown Bonduel. Memorial Ceremony at Fort Howard: During the ceremony at Fort Howard a folded flag was presented to a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Post 224 by Jill Amel, sister of Corporal John Gmack, who was killed in Cambodia on May 28, 1970. Ultimately, the flag, donated by the family, will be flown on a flagpole in the “Avenue of Veterans” and is dedicated to Corporal Gmack. A number of other families also participated. The event's keynote speaker was U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Mike Vizer, who last year created a memorial in his front yard for all the “Suicide Charlie” Marines who were killed in action in Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Ceremony at Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Marinette County: The event at the Glenwood Memorial Garden was hosted by Marinette American Legion Post 39 and the Lemire family, who owns the memorial gardens. The event also included a rifle salute by the Military 20 Year Club, a local group of retired service members. American Legion Post 256 in Little Chute: American Legion Post 256, Jacob Coppus hosted a parade through Little Chute followed by a ceremony at St. John's Cemetery in Little Chute where they commemorated members of their post that had fallen in the last year. Following the ceremony, the Legion Post and its members marched back to the town square to the veterans memorial where they had another recognition for veterans. American Legion Post 106 in Seymour: American Legion Post 106, Krause-Kraft-Mueller hosted their annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Seymour. The event featured the Seymour High School Band and keynote speaker Major General (Ret.) Daniel Ammerman who highlighted the history and meaning of Memorial Day. Fleet Farm's Taps Across America: Taps Across America is a national moment that asks communities to pause what they're doing to observe a moment of silence for those who have given their lives for our country. The Fleet Farm on the east side of Green Bay was one of the places that participated in the event. During the ceremony, Luxemburg American Legion Post 282 presented the honor squad. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 224's Memorial Day Ceremony: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 224 hosted a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Parkway, near the Neville Public Museum. The group has hosted the event for about 30 years, which includes the reading of the names of the 57 Green Bay-area veterans who died in Vietnam, a flower-laying ceremony, a rifle salute, and taps. ### rep. gallagher | 1230 Longworth House Office Building , Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]