Veterans & Memorial Day
MEMORIAL DAY – May 29, 2023 :Lakeview Cemetery in Workman Township again provided a Memorial Day celebration for our Fallen and living veterans. For this 7th Annual event, our selected living honoree was John Wollenberg, a 92-year old resident of Workman Township. John served as a Corporal in the US Army after WWII and during the Occupation of Germany. He was a radio repairman and supported US Army Europe from a remote hill site during his tour of duty in Germany from 1952-1956. The township presented John with a picture frame containing documents used in preparation for acknowledging his military service. Attendees honored our Fallen veterans interred at the cemetery with chaplain prayers, patriotic music. reading of names, a 21-gun salute, and military taps. Before the event, Workman Township placed US flags and a bronze veterans star marker at all military grave sites. At next year’s event, scheduled for May 27, 2024, we will set up a patriotic canopy to help attendees avoid inclement weather conditions and add volunteers to help in cemetery traffic parking. We welcome all suggestions on ways to improve this event in the future. Workman Township appreciates the help from the McGregor/Palisade VFW’s, Legion, Auxiliary members and local community residents for making this a great celebration.
MEMORIAL DAY – May 31, 2021: At Lakeview Cemetery in Workman Township Included a group of approximately 60 citizens plus 20 veterans from Palisade VFW, McGregor VFW and McGregor American Legion. Please go to our photos page to see photos of the event. We had a beautiful spring day and our cemetery grounds had been groomed and many flowers planted by the township and also friends and relatives of those buried at the cemetery. All three veteran posts shared in making this a special event. Special thanks to Palisade VFW members Bob Foix for his reading of “Flanders Field,” and Jim Hicks for reading “General Orders”, McGregor VFW member Pat Collins for reading the Invocation and McGregor American Legion Commander Bob Johnson for reading the history of Memorial Day. The ceremony at the grave of Marine Private Robert E. Swanson was very impressive. The opposing buglers playing Taps was appreciated be all attendees. We thank all attendees and participants. Supervisor Marvin Ketola and his wife Judy were responsible for making Lakeview Cemetery attractive for Memorial Day. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Special thanks to Bill Haapoja for singing and playing of patriotic music. The cemetery is maintained from spring until winter. Plans are already under way to make our 5th year, 2022, even larger and better. We welcome comments and suggestions.
MEMORIAL DAY – May 25, 2020: Because of the measures imposed by the state government to protect the citizens during the COVID-19 epidemic it was decided by the Lakeview Cemetery Board to discontinue the annual Memorial Day activities for Lakeview Cemetery in 2020.
MEMORIAL DAY – May 27, 2019: The Memorial Day Service for 2019 had the threat of rain with dark clouds, windy conditions, and cool temperatures. Nevertheless, approximately 70 patriotic citizens came to pay their respects. Beautiful patriotic songs, played on the oboe by McGregor School graduating Senior Kinsten Rought, was greatly enjoyed by the audience. The combined McGregor Legion and VFW, along with their auxiliaries, performed graveside services at the grave of WW II Navy Veteran Olaf E. Taylor. President Ronald Regan once said: “Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.” It is very important that all generations including our younger generations realize what our military has done to allow us all the freedoms we have.
WORKMAN TOWNSHIP VETERANS: It is important to honor and remember our veterans. Below are the Veterans honored at our annual Memorial Day Services.
2023 John Wollenberg (living) Army
2022: Harold Troop – Navy
2021: Vietnam Veteran Robert E.Swanson – Marines
2020: N/A – Activities cancelled due to Corona Virus
2019: World War II Veteran Olaf E. Taylor – Navy
2018: Korean War Veteran Purl M. Ashton Jr. – Army
2017: World War II Veteran George Hansen – Army (former Workman Township Supervisor)
A Memorial Day Poem
by C W Johnson
We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here ‘neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you’ve given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.