Veterans Memorial unveiled during Dorchester Days

A long awaited event provided closure, appreciation and honor to many area veterans and their families in Dorchester on Saturday. The newly-dedicated Dorchester Veterans Memorial was unveiled in front of an estimated 500 spectators on Saturday in Dorchester Park.

The memorial displays the names of 570 veterans who either resided in Dorchester or had family ties to the area. The names on the wall feature three supplemental pieces of information to help give spectators a view of each veteran’s service. Each veteran, excluding those listed from the Civil War and Spanish-American War, have their name, when they served, branch of service and their rank etched into black, polished granite.

The wall is accompanied by four benches which are made of black granite as well. At the base of the wall are medallions embedded into concrete which signify the various branches of the military. There are two Soldier’s Crosses which consist of a helmet, a rifle and a pair of boots. The statues are a special honor for those who fell in battle.

Jim Jantsch of the Dorchester American Legion Post 517 served as the master of ceremonies for the event and also was instrumental in the creation of the memorial. He said the work leading up to the building of the memorial included a lot of research but he felt very supported by his fellow legionnaires.

“I am pleased and very proud to have been a part of this great undertaking,” Jantsch said. “Three years ago; four separate Veterans Memorials were visited in Iowa. I reported the findings to my comrades in the American Legion and to the last man – they all said – let’s do it – let’s honor our local heroes.”

Included on the wall are the following:

Fifty-four were veterans of the Wisconsin Army Reserve National Guard.

Two-hundred and ninety were Veterans of the U.S. Army

Eighty-two were veterans of the US Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard

Thirty-nine were veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Forty-seven were veterans of the United States Army Air Corp and of the U.S. Air Force.

The north and south sides of the wall include 512 names, 22 of which have received Purple Hearts for a wound that was inflicted upon them during battle.

Jantsch said there were many people that were essential to the building of the memorial as they volunteered time, money and materials to make the veteran’s dream, a reality.

During the ceremony, Jantsch called upon Kellnhofer who helped lay the bricks for the memorial to say some words about the memorial. Kellnhofer said as part of the brick laying process, bricks that are laid vertically are often called “ Leichtnam laid names listed The five military and the Legion were recognized of the following carried a flag to the branches: The U.S. by Richard his country more than 1975 and serving The U. S.

Mateer. Mateer Army and 2007. He currently post commander.

The U.S. by Richard country in through 1987.

The U.S. Gerald Gonnering. country in through 1962.

The United escorted by United States The American by Steve Sprotte. Wisconsin Army National Guard performers during the ceremony who blessed the memorial and Louella Derrico who sang the Banner” and “God Bless America” who played “Taps.” were held as Ron Decker, Bill Smith fired blank shots into Sorenson’s rendition of “Taps.” native of Dorchester but currently He said it was important for back to Dorchester for the event the ceremony. of the Dorchester Cemetery Association 221 flags which outlines a larger, flags represented the number of buried in the three cemeteries boundaries of the Dorchester companies and individuals donated the project. “There is no thank but just to say – it would not without their generosity,” Jantsch the ceremony by telling everyone memorial and take time to find family members on the wall. He phase two part of the project which will include a pillar that names of veterans.

soldiers.” He said he and Garret Led in 546 soldiers to watch over the d on the memorial wall. branches of milihe American Leecognized as each wing veterans caro represent one of es: Army flag was escorted Michlig. Michlig served y in the U.S. Army for 20 years entering the service in rving through 1995. . Navy flag was escorted by Pat Maer served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1983 through urrently serves as the Colby VFW ander. . Marine Corps flag was escorted d Sigmund. Sigmund served his the U.S. Marine Corp from 1983 87. . Air Force flag was escorted by nnering. Gonnering served his the U.S. Air Force from 1959 62. ed States Coast Guard flag was es-Greg Stoiber. Stoiber served in the es Army from 1968 through 1991. erican Legion flag was escorted protte. Sprotte served in the U.S. Army and the Wisc from 1985 through 1993.

Other speakers and per were Rev. Teri Hanson w gave an invocation, “Star Spangled Ban and Jim Sorenson w Three volleys w Decker and Greg the air before So Sorenson is a nat lives in Grafton. him to make it ba and to be a part of Bruce Tessmer o sociation placed 22 U.S. flag. The 221 fl veterans who are b that exist within the community. In total, 44 comp over $100,000 to th you big enough – b have happened with said. Jantsch ended t one to view the me their friends and fa said there will be a down the road wh contains more nam