Fort Atkinson observed Memorial Day this week with an array of activities, including a breakfast at the American Legion Dugout, two honor guards, each making appearances and performing rifle salutes in the community’s cemeteries, a marine observance, a parade and program, held in Evergreen Cemetery and featuring such speakers as U.S. Army Maj. Eric Schultz and the 2022-23 State Commander of the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars Michele Rathke. The event was attended by other statewide representatives, including the 2022-23 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin President Faith Elford and State Rep. Scott Johnson, and was organized by veterans representing myriad area organizations. The event in Evergreen Cemetery was attended by more than 100 members of the community. The parade and Evergreen Cemetery observance, as shown in pictures, follows.
Kim McDarison photos.
Members of the Memorial Day Honor Guard move through the intersection of Main and Cramer streets.
Traveling in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 vehicle are Gold Star mother and member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 166 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 Helen O’Neil, back seat, from left; American Legion Post 166 Commander Joel Osmundson, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 Commander Bill Imsland. Veteran “Windy” Frohmader, who served last year as parade marshal, is riding in the vehicle’s front passenger seat.
Betty Schelb, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166 president, at left, and Al Olsen, a representative of the Disabled American Veterans organization, travel along the parade route.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 134 and Cub Scout Pack 137 members march along Main Street.
A young cub scout moves along Main.
Members of the Fort Atkinson Community Girl Scouts march in the parade.
Girl scouts march along Main Street.
Fort Atkinson Memorial Day Parade Marshal Don Rueth greets attendees along Main Street. Observance speaker U.S. Army Maj. Eric Schultz also is among those traveling in the vehicle.
Fort Atkinson Fire Department equipment moves along Main Street.
The 2022-23 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin President Faith Elford waves to parade-goers. She is traveling with the 2022-23 State Commander of the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars Michele Rathke, seated in front.
Fort Atkinson Police Chief Adrian Bump drives one of three police department vehicles, signifying the end of the parade.
Honor guard member Richard Miles, who is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 and the American Legion Post 166, arrives in Evergreen Cemetery.
After marching in the parade, honor guard member Brian Cluver, assembles in Evergreen Cemetery.
Betty Strese, a Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary member, arrives in Evergreen Cemetery. She noted that a new monument was erected in the cemetery on Mother’s Day in honor of veterans and in memory of her husband, Merlin T. Strese, Jr.
The 2022-23 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin President Faith Elford arrives at Evergreen Cemetery.
A monument erected in honor of veterans and in memory of Merlin T. Strese, Jr., is among prominent memorials in Evergreen Cemetery. The monument was placed on Mother’s Day.
Traveling along the parade route are Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2024 President Rebecca Christ, from left, American Legion Post 166 and observance Chaplain Steve Leggett and Class of 2023 President Jack Schepp. All three served as speakers during the Memorial Day observance held Monday in Evergreen Cemetery.
A member of the Fort Atkinson Community Girl Scouts leads her troop.
Members of Boy Scouts of American Troop 134 enjoy the shade in Evergreen Cemetery after completing the parade route.
Memorial Day observance speakers Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2024 President Rebecca Christ and Class of 2023 Jack Schepp assemble in advance of Monday’s observance in Evergreen Cemetery.
A member of the honor guard assembles.
Members of the Fort Atkinson High School Band assemble in the shade at Evergreen Cemetery after completing the parade route.
State Rep. Scott Johnson attends the Memorial Day observance Monday in Evergreen Cemetery.
A member of the honor guard takes his place.
U.S. Army Maj. Eric Schultz, at left, assembles in advance of Monday’s Memorial Day observance with members of the honor guard. Schultz, who also is a member of the Fort Atkinson City Council, served as a speaker during the observance.
Members of the Fort Atkinson High School Band take a break in the shade after marching in the parade.
Sitting in the shade, Fort Atkinson High School Band members relax and hydrate before performing during Monday’s Memorial Day observance in Evergreen Cemetery.
Members of Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 137 arrive in the cemetery after marching in the parade.
At the podium, Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2023 President Jack Schepp reads “Logan’s Orders.”
At the podium, Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2024 President Rebecca Christ reads the Gettysburg Address.
Members of the Fort Atkinson High School Band listen to the observance.
U.S. Army Maj. Eric Schultz addresses more than 100 people gathered Monday in Evergreen Cemetery.
The 2022-23 State Commander of the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars Michele A. Rathke addresses observance attendees.
Attendees of the Memorial Day observance participate in the ceremony.
Memorial Day observance attendees listen to the speakers.
Members of the Memorial Day Honor Guard stand in assembly during the observance.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1879 Commander Bill Imsland, from left, American Legion Post 166 and observance Chaplain Steve Leggett and American Legion Post 166 Commander Joel Osmundson listen to observance speakers.
Steve Swader, representing the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 409, approaches the cemetery’s center monument to place flowers in honor of fallen comrades.
Al Olsen, representing Disabled American Veterans, salutes after placing flowers on the monument in honor of fallen comrades.
Observance attendees listen to the speakers.
Members of the Fort Atkinson High School Band perform the National Anthem during the Memorial Day observance.
The 2022-23 State Commander of the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars Michele Rathke and the 2022-23 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin President Faith Elford listen to observance speakers.
Band members perform.
The band continues to perform.
Fort Atkinson High School students and bugle players Lorena Ramirez and Ashlyn Wadsworth sound taps.
American Legion Post 166 Commander Joel Osmundson salutes during the sounding of taps.
Members of the Memorial Day Honor Guard perform a gun salute.
Jordan Walden, 11, and his dad, Jeremy, wait for the parade.
The Smith family waits for the parade along Main Street. They are Lisa, from left, Asher, 3, Mike, Jax, 1, and Penny.
Members of the Petitt family Zak and Everly, 5, arrive at the intersection of Main and Cramer streets to watch the parade.
Samantha Lehman, from left, Jackson Sponem, 3, and Sandy Lehman wait along Main Street for the arrival of the parade.
Members of the Scheuerell family, including John, from left, Sue, Elly, Leigh Ann and Jeff, wait for the parade near the entryway of Evergreen Cemetery.
Main Street resident Tina Farmer decorates her house in advance of the arrival of the parade.
Controlling the intersection of Main and Cramer streets, Jerry Furan, a volunteer deputy with the Jefferson County Emergency Communication unit directs traffic away from the parade route.
The Stark family, including “Kada,” a 3-year-old Weimaraner, from left, John, seated, Emily, “Mika,” a 10-year-old Weimaraner, Cheryl, seated, and Dave, find a spot in the shade along Main Street to wait for the parade.