A somber crowd gathered at the Shawano County Courthouse on Nov. 11 to honor area men and women who are serving or who have served in the military.
The traditional Veterans Day ceremony featured Richard Kucksdorf, retired colonel, U.S. Army Reserves, as the main speaker.
He noted that Memorial Day is celebrated at Woodlawn Cemetery, while Veterans Day is at the courthouse.
“Draftees back in the day reported to the Shawano Courthouse. Then they were picked up by a bus and taken to the Milwaukee Military Entrance Processing Station,” he said. “This courthouse is where many began their military journey. It’s fitting that we commemorate their passing at the place many began their service to this great nation.”
The names of 70 veterans who died in the past year were read one a time, followed by the striking of a bell.
Kucksdorf said he refers to all veterans as volunteers, even those who were drafted.
“Yeah, you were drafted, but you did not choose to go to Canada. You did not choose to have a religious reason not to go, a deferment,” he said. “You volunteered your time and talent and your service to this great nation.”
He reminded those present that all veterans helped further the cause of freedom that all citizens enjoy today.
Kucksdorf made special note of Herbert McLaughlin, a Shawano resident killed at Pearl Harbor, listed as unknown for 70-plus years. McLaughlin his remains identified in 2024 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano on Aug. 9.
Kucksdorf said McLaughlin and many others were honored with Purple Hearts, awards of valor and more.
“Awards are not why they chose to serve,” he said.
The Rev. Andrew Zobel, senior pastor at St. James Lutheran Church, had similar words in his invocation.
“We honor all veterans past and present whose strength, whose suffering and whose service will never be forgotten,” Zobel said.
Kucksdorf concluded his remarks be recalling the inscription at the base of “The American Volunteer” statue, known as “Old Simon,” at Antietam National Cemetery in Maryland.
“They served not for themselves but for their country,” Kucksdorf said.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
