Memorial Day ceremony sanctifies 'These Hallowed Grounds'

Afton, who served during the Civil War, was the first soldier interred in the cemetery. Witmer, who died in 2004 In Iraq, is one of the last. In between are more than 35,000 of their comrades in arms.

Places such as Wood are important because they remind everyone of the sacrifices made to preserve not only a country but a way of life, said national VA Chief of Staff Kimberly M. Jackson, one of the keynote speakers for the ceremony.

“I don’t believe there is a more appropriate or historical place for Veterans to lie in rest, or for us to gather and remember those who paid for our freedoms with their lives,” said the Poynette native.

Noting the meticulous care that goes into maintaining Wood and 154 other national cemeteries, Jackson echoed the theme of this year’s ceremony, “These Hallowed Grounds,” by noting just a few of the Wisconsinites buried in the cemetery:

• Marine Cpl. David Gander, of Milwaukee, killed in the 1983 terrorist bombing of a U.S. base in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Army Spc. Scott Nagorski, of Greenfield, killed in an attack in Afghanistan in 2010.
• Army Spc. Stephen Castner, of Cedarburg, killed in Iraq in 2006.
• Army SFC Scott Brown, of Brookfield, killed in Iraq in 2007.

“Americans have been putting their lives on the line protecting our way of life since before our nation was even founded,” she said. “Today, we all come together to pay our respects and to reflect on the high cost of freedom.

“We can never underestimate, or over-appreciate, the costs they bore for us,” she said. “And not only on this day, but every day, it’s always appropriate to honor … a fallen Veteran, particularly those who lay in rest here and in so many other plots of hallowed ground across the nation and around the world.”

Fellow keynote speaker Edwin Parker, with the Center for Veterans Issues, reflected on the theme by underscoring the connections forged by the Veterans buried in Wood.

He said those planning outdoor barbecues or other celebrations for the holiday weekend should remember “the men and women buried here and in countless other cemeteries, who have made this freedom possible,” he said.

“These hallowed grounds, steeped in this history of sacrifice, stand as a testament to the valor and dedication of the fallen heroes,” he said.

Parker quoted the poem “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole, about an old man who toils to build a bridge over a chasm even though he is unlikely to benefit from it. When questioned, the man notes that the bridge isn’t for him, but for the generations to come after him.

“These hallowed grounds are filled with the proverbial bridge builders … those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” Parker said, saying the fallen may inspire others to build even better bridges “until we finally build a better world.”

The ceremony included remarks from a quartet of elected officials — Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, U.S. Reps. Thomas Tiffany and Gwen Moore and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin —as well as Milwaukee VA Medical Center Director Jim McLain and Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office Director Duane Honeycutt.

The six military branches — Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard — were honored during a medley of the service marches, played by the Milwaukee American Legion Band.

Wreaths were laid by dozens of organizations, and a balloon release honored those from Wisconsin listed as missing in action.

The program concluded with a rifle volley, playing of taps, a performance of “God Bless America” and finally, the raising of the colors, from half staff to full.

Looking out over the cemetery, Honeycutt said, “We are blessed to have this honored ground on which we stand. I am humbled by the rows of simple white markers that are a visual reminder of what was delivered in service to our country.

“It is up to all of us to keep our heroes and their sacrifices alive in our memories. May we never lose that focus.”