Evers joins attendees of Fort’s 104th ‘Rock Day’ memorial observance

By Kim McDarison

Fort Atkinson High School students and members of the broader community, including Gov. Tony Evers, on Friday attended “Rock Day.” The annual memorial observance is in its 104th year.

Held on the high school grounds, the event included seven student speakers, music performed by members of the high school music department, and the ceremonial placing of flags around a rock and plaque, which serve as the high school’s monument to Fort Atkinson’s fallen soldiers.

In addition, eight members of the High School Class of 2023 who have enlisted for military service were recognized. They are: Owen Blackwell, Raul Diaz, and Jack Schave, each of whom has joined the National Guard; Dane Brost and Elijah Burhams, both of whom have enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps; Wyatt Lisius, who will be serving in the U.S. Air Force, and Ryan Messler and Dania Saucedo Aparicio, both of whom will be serving in the U.S. Army. Each student was introduced by Class of 2023 Treasurer Yuridia Torres.

Along with Evers, State Rep. Scott Johnson and State Sen. Steve Nass were in attendance.

The memorial event began with a speech welcoming those in attendance, followed by a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” performed by members of the high school music department and conducted by high school music teacher Justin Steger.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Class of 2023 President Jack Schepp.

Class of 2023 Secretary Alyssa Heagney next delivered the “Rock Day History Address,” which was followed by a rendition of “America,” performed by members of the music department and led by Steger.

Within her address, Heagney told those in attendance that Rock Day was begun in 1920 after a granite rock and maple tree were dedicated at the district’s old high school, which today serves as the district’s middle school, in memory of 10 Fort Atkinson students who lost their lives while serving during the first World War.

Today, located at the current high school, the monument serves to represent the stability, perseverance and strength of the 10 individuals, she said.

Additionally, she noted, the monument, with the American flag flying above, serves as a reminder to future students to remember the sacrifices made and the traits shared by the fallen students.

The monument further serves to inspire those currently serving the country, Heagney said.

Class of 2023 Vice President Diana Sampayo introduced presenters who laid ceremonial wreaths and other memorial decorations in honor of military service. Presenters included: Joel Osmundson, American Legion Post 166; Betty Schelb, American Legion Auxiliary Post 166; Bill Imsland, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879; Helen O’Neil, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 1879; Nancy Olson, Daughters of the American Revolution; Steve Swader, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 409; Karen Swader, Vietnam Veterans Associate member, Daniel Juday, Disabled American Veterans, and members of the Fort Atkinson High School staff who have served in the armed forces: John Brown, Patrick Hatlen and Dennis Schwedrsky.

A “Rock Day Recognition Address” was delivered by Schepp, followed by a rendition of “Let Freedom Ring,” performed by members of the music department as conducted by music teacher Kiah Snow.

During his address, Schepp noted that for one day each year, the Fort Atkinson High School and surrounding community gathers to honor those who have served and defended America in the past, but, he said, the day also was meant to honor those who will commit to serve and defend America in the future.

“Today we sit with some of the brave men and women who have made such a personal sacrifice to serve this country with strength and perseverance. We also sit among classmates, friends and siblings who have made the commitment to follow in their footsteps,” he said, adding: “By serving a greater purpose than yourself, you show all of us what it means to be brave, to overcome, to fight on behalf of those who cannot. You truly exemplify the best qualities of Fort Atkinson: strength, perseverance and stability.”

A “Passing of the Memorial” speech was made by Class of 2024 President Rebecca Christ.

From the podium, Christ, as a representative of the Class of 2024, said: “It is my honor and privilege to continue the tradition and values Rock Day holds here at Fort Atkinson High School. Servant leadership is defined as a leadership philosophy in which the goal of the leader is to serve. Servant leaders put the needs of others first … the history of Rock Day at Fort Atkinson High School is grounded upon the idea of servant leadership where our own students fought for our country.”

She said the 10 students whose names appear on the rock exemplify the “courageous, selfless, dedicated and patriotic qualities a servant leader has.”

She added: “Rock Day isn’t only about memorializing those who have fought or been lost in war, but also to celebrate those who are choosing this path in their lives.”

A Class of 2023 representative, Martha Moran, offered a history of taps, which was followed by placement of flags around the school’s monument. Each flag was carried by a senior student who has enlisted in a branch of the military, with each flag representing a Fort Atkinson soldier whose life was lost during wartime.

Within her speech, Moran noted that in 1862, “this composition gained popularity as the tune that signified the end of the day on both the Union and Confederate side (of the American Civil War). Twelve years later, the United States Army officially recognized this composition. Around the beginning of the American Civil War, Capt. John C. Tidball sought to honor a fallen soldier. Due to a nearby enemy encampment, Capt. Tidball could not fire the traditional three-volley salute. In light of this, he decided to honor his fallen man with the playing of taps during the burial. Since then, taps has become the customary honor to fallen soldiers all across the United States.”

The ceremony included the placement of the P.O.W. (prisoners of war) flag at the monument, and a rifle salute provided by members of the Fort Atkinson American Legion.

The ceremony concluded with taps performed by Fort Atkinson High School students Lorena Ramirez and Ashlyn Wadsworth.

Photos from the event follow.

Fort Atkinson music teacher Justin Steger and members of the high school music department warm up in advance of Friday’s “Rock Day” memorial observance.

Musicians play as attendees to the 104th Annual Rock Day observance arrive.

Fort Atkinson High School music students perform during Rock Day.

Members of the armed forces participating in the Rock Day observance find their seats in advance of the program.

Seven Fort Atkinson High School student speakers take their seats near the podium. The are Citlalli Torres, from back, Martha Moran, Alyssa Heagney, Yuridia Torres, Diana Sampayo, Jack Schepp and Rebecca Christ.

Seated among Rock Day attendees are several members of military organizations each with a memorial decoration which, during the ceremony, will be placed on the school’s memorial monument. They are Joel Osmundson of the American Legion Post 166, from left, Betty Schelb, of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 166, Bill Imsland of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879, and Helen O’Neil of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 1879.

An honor guard assembles at the high school to participate in the 104th Rock Day memorial observance.

Military guests and Rock Day presenters take their seats in advance of the memorial presentation.

School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent Rob Abbott, from left, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, and State Rep. Scott Johnson attend the Rock Day observance.

Attendees of the Rock Day observance rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

From the podium, Class of 2023 Secretary Alyssa Heagney presents event-goers with the “Rock Day History Address.”

Gov. Tony Evers and State Rep. Scott Johnson listen to student speakers.

Two photos above: Fort Atkinson High School students listen to presentations made during the Rock Day memorial observance.

Members of the Fort Atkinson High School Music Department perform during the event.

From the podium, Class of 2023 Vice President Diana Sampayo introduces presenters as they bestow memorial decorations on the school’s monument.

Fort Atkinson High School’s “Rock Day” memorial, found near the school’s entrance, bears the following words: “This tree is dedicated to our soldiers and sailors who died in the World War. They died that freedom might not perish from the Earth.” The monument next lists the names of fallen soldiers who died during World War I. They are: Edwin Baldwin, Guy Black, Warner Boettcher, Wilbur Converse, Paul Florin, Edwin Frohmader, Henry Heese, Warren Longley, Walter Richards, and Arthur Sauer. The inscription continues: “Bequeathed in perpetuity to the members of each senior class of the high school who will preserve and care for it and thus keep green its branches in memory of those true sons of the republic who nurtured the tree of liberty with their blood.”

Accompanied by a member of the military, American Legion Post 166 Commander Joel Osmundson, at right, approaches the monument to place a memorial decoration.

Accompanied by a member of the military, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 representative Bill Imsland, at right, places a memorial wreath on the monument.

Accompanied by a member of the military, Daughters of the American Revolution representative Nancy Olson, at right, places a memorial wreath on the monument.

From the podium, Class of 2023 President Jack Schepp delivers the “Rock Day Recognition Address.”

Fort Atkinson High School music teacher Kiah Snow conducts as members of the music department perform “Let Freedom Ring.”

From the podium, Class of 2023 representative Martha Moran presents the history of taps.

From the podium, Class of 2023 representative Citlalli Torres announces the name of each senior who has joined a branch of the military as they, accompanied by a service member, place flags representing Fort Atkinson’s fallen soldiers, on the high school’s monument.

A Fort Atkinson High School senior who has enlisted in the military, at right, accompanied by a member of the military, places flags, representing Fort Atkinson’s fallen soldiers, on the monument.