A three-day celebration marked the 25th anniversary of the Sheboygan County Veterans Memorial. The event kicked off on Friday, August 23, 2019 with the arrival of the American Huey 369 restored Vietnam Era helicopter and its crew arriving from Peru, Indiana. Certified pilots gave rides throughout the weekend for a membership fee. Saturday brought an outdoor display of Kerry Hitt’s Veterans Memorial Tribute Cadillac TransAM racecar, the Fallen Angel Tribute Truck and a Service One Military Memorial semi-tractor display.

The Sheboygan County Historical Museum (located behind the Sheboygan County Veterans Memorial) opened their grounds and buildings each day. On display was a WW1 Sheboygan County exhibit from the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, WW1 traveling exhibit from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and the Spirit of America’s Story, The Wall, a traveling exhibit commemorating our country’s fight for freedom from 1775 to present day.

A recognition ceremony took place on Saturday at 1:00 to honor individuals from Sheboygan County who have lost their lives and those that served in conflicts, wars or peacetime. Since the Civil War, Sheboygan County has sent men and women to defend our country and regions around the world.

James Wilsing of Sheboygan played the bagpipes as the color guard entered the ceremony. During the recognition program, attendees paid respects to those who have served our country – both living and deceased.

SCVM Chairman Allen Nohl welcomed participants on a beautiful, sunny day and Todd Richter, the Sheboygan County Veterans Service officer welcomed military veterans to stop in at the office. Guest speaker Deven Shei of Sheboygan Falls shared his experiences while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Circuit Judge Angela Sutkiewicz discussed the Sheboygan Area Veterans Treatment Court which takes cases from Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago and Fond du Lac Counties.

The program included prayers led by the Rev. Bryan Osladil, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Sheboygan. “Generations” quartet from Plymouth sang the Star-Spangled Banner.

Congregational members of the neighboring Our Redeemer Lutheran Church provided a brat fry on the day of the ceremony.