By Chris Spangler
Fort Atkinson saluted “the Greatest Generation” Sunday with the unveiling of a World War II memorial in McCoy Park.
Titled “Worth Fighting For,” the monument consists of a stainless-steel globe set on a stone base. Nearby are two benches in memory of the late Stephen Ambrose, a historian and author of many books about World War II who as a child resided in Whitewater, and posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor recipients Army Staff Sgt. Gerald Endl of Fort Atkinson and Sgt. Kenneth Gruennert of Helenville.
Fort Atkinson native Brady Lueck of Lueck Sculptural Steel in Burlington created the monument, which was the brainchild of Mabel Schumacher of Fort Atkinson. It was funded through the Schumacher Field of Interest Fund with the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation.
“Mabel and local metal artist Brady Lueck worked diligently to create the concept for this monument,” program coordinator and master of ceremonies Dan Juday told the more than 125 people gathered beneath intermittent rain sprinkles and sunshine. “To engage and inspire visitors, the globe held aloft gives viewers the true scope of a global conflict. At the same time, it shows the great length the Allied forces went to secure peace and rid the world of global evil intentions.
“The granite base grounds and complements the uniquely designed and constructed stainless steel monument. It amazingly all ties together for one glorious memorial that Fort Atkinson and its residents should be proud of,” he added.
Juday said that, just like during the time of the Greatest Generation, America’s democracy and world are worth fighting for. Thus, the monument’s title.
“Today we come together supporting each other and the democracy we hold so dear,” he said.
Speakers’ remarks
Keynoting the event was Mark Finnegan of Beloit, co-founder and president of VetsRoll.
He noted that his father was in the Navy during World War II and his mother was a “Rosie the Riveter.”
“We heard about the wonderful Honor Flight program the end of 2009, and in 2010, we sat down and we thought about what can we do to honor our parents’ generation and do it in our own way,” he said.
That first year, VetsRoll transported veterans in nine recreational vehicles to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials.
“This is sadly how fast this generation has left us,” Finnegan said. “In 60 days, we had 117 World War II vets and seven Rosie the Riveters signed up for that first trip.
“We still to this day have a lot of this generation with us,” he continued, noting that the youngest World War II veterans are 96 years old, if they were 17 the day the Japanese surrendered.
“The average World War II vet in the United States is 98 or 99. We have about a dozen in our database that are 100 to 104. Time is not waiting for this generation,” Finnegan said.
He reported that VetsRoll is working with the Chicago and Badger Honor Flights and several stateline nursing homes to bring together 100 World War II veterans on Dec. 7, the 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“It will be an event we never will be able to do again, unfortunately,” Finnegan said. “But we want to honor this generation because we couldn’t do events like this (memorial dedication) if it wasn’t for the men and women — the men who went to battle, the women who were on the homefront — worldwide. It was all in or nothing. And this country was so united, it was an amazing things to see.”
He said that he can never learn too much from members of “the Greatest Generation,” and encouraged attendees to use their cellphone to record theirstories, starting during the upcoming holidays.
“You have the ability to talk to history, the people who lived it in color. History in World War II was not black and white like the pictures you see. It was in color, just like it is today. But we have the ability to digitally capture those stories,” Finnegan said.
“You can get the color of their skin and the sound of their voices. What makes them laugh and what makes them cry. We can capture that for eternity so our kids, grandkids can listen to those stories and see what those great-grandparents they never met looked like and sounded like,” he added.
No matter one’s politics, Finnegan pointed out, everyone is united under the American flag.
“There’s one flag — it’s that red, white and blue flag — that all of these men and women have literally given their all for … to make sure we’re here as a free land and it’s continuing that way,” he concluded.
Schumacher, whose late husband, Vernon, was a World War II veteran, also offered remarks.
“Mabel’s desire and tenacity directly led to this project fast tracking to where it is today,” Juday said in introducing her. “From inception to dedication has been less than six months. I am honored to have been asked to partner with her on this most honorable monument project.”
Schumacher noted that the story behind the World War II Memorial is a simple one that can be summarized in a few words.
“The first word is recognition — when a person sees something they can identify, a quality either good or bad, a feeling that should be embraced or shunned, a value to be uplifted or defeated,” she said.
“Thinking back to the World War II era, our nation experienced this. It recognized qualities and values that could not be ignored, that endangered our world. In response to the recognition of that danger, our nation came together to defeat those undesirable values,” Schumacher continued. “When we think of those times, we need to recognize that it was not only the soldiers who fought on the battlefields, but also citizens who made sacrifices to lend their strength to the battles. Men, women and children who gave to the war effort, farmers who fed the nation and men and women who gave their talents here at home to make materials for the war effort.”
She said that the second word is respect, meaning admiration, esteem, honor.
“It is a natural response when you see the worth or excellence of something,” Schumacher said. “News anchor Tom Brokaw referred to these men and women as ‘the Greatest Generation’ — those who lived through the Great Depression, fought for a common cause and came back to build our nation. Yes, we admire and respect them. But there’s one more step.”
That step is represented by a third word: remember, symbolized by a monument, memento or keepsake.
“I used to drive my sweet husband crazy because whenever we went on a vacation, I would bring home a souvenir (well, maybe more than one) to remind me of our trip,” Schumacher recalled. “Every time I would look at that souvenir, it would cause me to remember that time — the smiles we had, the good and even the glitches that happened. Each keepsake took me down the hallway of memory, causing me to remember and appreciate our life together.
“That is what I want this World War II memorial to do: to open the door to recognition, respect and remembrance; to keep alive the memory of those who have gone before us and have given so much,” she added.
Schumacher listed the people who have enriched her life. They include:
• Her father, Clarence “Smitty” Smith, a machinist who created materials to be used in the war effort,
• Her uncle, Jeremiah Baskin, who was in London during the bombings and who worked in the war effort there.
• Her 100-year-old cousin, Herb Baskin, who recently was awarded the French Legion of Honor and was bestowed the rank of knight for his efforts at the Battle of the Bulge.
• Her friend, Oscar Knutson, who served as a chief petty officer on the guns in the Navy.
• Her friend, Berdine Fiebiger, who served as a “Rosie the Riveter” during the war effort.
• Her late husband, Vernon, who served as a flight engineer in the Air Force, traveling all over the American theater training recruits to do their jobs.
“It is our duty to remember; it is critical that our heroes are not forgotten or taken for granted,” Schumacher said. “Please, walk with me through that open door down the hallway of remembrance and pay tribute to all who served and to those who perished while serving.”
Honoring the fallen
Juday noted that while the memorial honors the sacrifices of all who supported the war effort, special tribute must be paid to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. Of the 1,051 service members from Fort Atkinson, 33 did not survive World War II.
City Manager Rebecca Houseman and Fort Atkinson City Council President Davin Lescohier assisted Juday in reading the 33 names. That was followed by a moment of silence, a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
The remembrance benches that are part of the monument were designed, etched and placed by the Blocks Memorial Company of Watertown. The Superior black granite was quarried in Minnesota by Dakota Granite.
Past American Legion Commander Joel Osmundson presided over dedication of the benches. Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation director Ben Dayton and Samantha Frey, who portrayed Rosie the Riveter, assisted in unveiling the Stephen Ambrose remembrance bench.
“This bench serves as a place to recognize, respect and remember those who have gone before us,” Osmundson said. “They have paved the way for us to prosper and live in a free world. Our desire is to inspire those visiting the monument to take a moment to reflect. What laid before those who went to war is culminated in the quote of author Stephen Ambrose.”
The quote reads: “The American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and we, all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful.”
The Congressional Medal of Honor bench features the names of Endl and Gruennert, as well as an etching hand cut and colored by master craftsman Dan Atkinson.
“The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and Coast Guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor,” Juday said. “The medal is normally awarded by the president of the United States (the commander in chief of the armed forces) and is presented in the name of the United States Congress. This bench serves to honor the two brave soldiers who died valiantly in service to their country.”
Honor Guard Commander Dick Miles and American Legion Commander Tom Freeman read the War Department’s citations for Endl and Gruennert, both of whom served in the Army. The bench was unveiled by John and Chuck Block.
Gruennert died Dec. 24, 1942, near Buna, New Guinea.
Born Nov. 19, 1922, the Helenville native graduated from Jefferson High School and joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard at age 16.
A member of the 32nd Division’s Company L, 127th Infantry Regiment, he was second in command that Christmas Eve of a platoon tasked with driving through the Japanese lines to the beach 600 yards ahead. Within 150 yards of their goal, they encountered two hostile pillboxes.
“Sgt. Gruennert advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with hand grenades and rifle fire, killing three of the enemy,” according to the citation. “Seriously wounded in the shoulder, he bandaged his wound under cover of the pillbox, refusing to withdraw to the aid station and leave his men. He then, with undiminished daring and under extremely heavy fire, attacked the second pillbox. As he neared it, he threw grenades, which forced the enemy out, where they were easy targets for his platoon.”
Before his platoon could reach him, Gruennert was fatally shot by enemy snipers.
“His inspiring valor cleared the way for his platoon, which was the first to attain the beach in this successful effort to split the enemy position,” the citation reads.
Endl died July 11, 1944, near Anamo, New Guinea.
He was born in Fort Atkinson Aug. 20, 1915, and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1933. Endl was inducted into the Army in 1941, serving in the 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Division.
“Staff Sgt. Endl was at the head of the leading platoon of his company, advancing along a jungle trail, when enemy troops were encountered and a firefight developed,” his citation states. “The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle, machine gun and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, Staff Sgt. Endl immediately assumed command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at the fork in the trail toward which the enemy attack was directed.
“As Endl advanced, he detected the enemy, supported by at least six light and two heavy machine guns, attempting an enveloping movement around both flanks,” the citation continues.
It notes that Endl’s commanding officer sent a second platoon to move up on the left flank, but the enemy closed in rapidly. Twelve members of his platoon were wounded, seven being cut off by the enemy.
“In the face of extremely heavy fire, he went forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes engaged the enemy in a heroic close-range fight, holding them off while his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate the wounded and withdraw,” the citation reads. “Courageously refusing to abandon four more wounded men who were lying along the trail, one by one he brought them back to safety. As he was carrying the last man in his arms, he was struck by a heavy burst of automatic fire and was killed.”
The citation concludes, “By his persistent and daring self-sacrifice and on and on behalf of his comrades, Staff Sgt. Endl made possible the successful evacuation of all but one man, and enabled the two platoons to withdraw with their wounded and to reorganize with the rest of the company.”
Program participants
Among attendees at the monument dedication were several honored guests. They included state Sen. Stephen Nass; Jessica Punzel and Cindy Radtke of Jefferson, Endl’s second cousin once removed and first cousin once removed, respectively; Merlin “Windy” Frohmader, a World War II veteran; other members of the”Greatest Generation;” and Berdine Fiebiger of Fort Atkinson.
The 106-year-old Fiebiger owned Berdine’s Stitchery for many years. Prior to that, she worked at Moe Light after being employed at Perry Printing.
“During World War II, the plant converted its stamping presses and other production machinery to make Navy projectile cones, bomb fins and crates; chemical hand grenades; and bazooka rockets,” Juday said. “She worked at a punch press making bomb fins, which would be bent at a right angle, welded onto a collar, then onto the bombs.”Offering the invocation and benediction at the monument unveiling was Chaplain Terry Heath of the Paul Frank Florine Post 166 of the American Legion. Joining the honor guard were members of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment reenactment group.
Singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” was University of Wisconsin-Whitewater junior Gabriella Juday. Members of Fort Atkinson Scout Troops 7359 and 134 led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Also recognized were John and Chuck Block, Gary Stanaland and Pat Harrington from the Blocks’ Watertown Memorial Company; Dan Atkinson, who engraved the Medal of Honor bench; Paul Kramer and his team from Kramer Enterprises; J.J. Yonke and the Fort Atkinson Parks Department team; Fort Atkinson Public Works Department employees; Fort Atkinson city electrician Nick Armstrong; Marcus Allard and his team from Allard Asphalt; Fort Atkinson City Council, Parks Committee and Plan Commission; Patrick Smith, general manager/owner of Visiting Angels, the over-flight coordinator; Barbara Schneider Orlando, who has been cataloging every service member from Fort Atkinson through the Hoard Historical Museum’s three-year World War II Veterans Project; John Schroeder of the Midwest Military Vehicle Association; and John Sauter, Jerry Whitfield, Mike Ralph and Bill Elkington, members of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment re-enactor group; and bagpiper Ron Burlingame.
A flyover by a U.S. Air Force T34 and a Navion, piloted by Jeremy Keyes and Mike Ziarniak, respectively, is to be undertaken this week courtesy of the Wisconsin Wing of the Commemorative Air Force based at Waukesha County Airport’s Crites Field.
The World War II memorial joins several other veterans monuments at McCoy Park, including the World War I doughboy, veterans flag memorial, World War I memorial, Spanish-American War memorial and K-9 Veterans memorial.
Photos from the event follow.
At the lectern, Chaplain Terry Heath of the Paul Frank Florine Post 166 of the American Legion offers the benediction during the World War II memorial program held Sunday in McCoy Park.
Four photos above, in descending order: an Honor Guard, assembled for the occasion, includes members of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment reenactment group and the rifle squad, which gave a 21-gun salute.
At the lectern, Gabriella Juday, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater junior, sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Members of Fort Atkinson Scout Troops 7359 and 134 lead the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
World War II veterans and “Rosie the Riveters,” representing “the Greatest Generation,” are among honored guests at the ceremony.
At the lectern, Fort Atkinson City Council President Davin Lescohier reads the names of 11 of the 33 Fort Atkinson men killed during World War II. Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman, seated, at left, and program coordinator Dan Juday, standing, also arrived at the lectern to read names of the fallen. Mabel Schumacher, benefactor of the project, seated, at right, listens to the presentation.
Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Ben Dayton, at left, and Samantha Frey, who portrayed Rosie the Riveter, unveil the Stephen Ambrose remembrance bench.
Two photos above: At top, benefactor Mabel Schumacher, from left, and Brady Lueck, the metal sculptor who created the stainless steel-and-granite globe which serves as the centerpiece of the World War II memorial, perform the unveiling; above, the stainless-steel globe stands in full view in McCoy Park.
Mabel Schumacher, at left, and artist Brady Lueck gather near the World War II memorial they designed and created.
Berdine “Bea” Fiebiger, enjoys the unveiling ceremony. She is among those honored during the ceremony, recognized for her role as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. The Fort Atkinson woman, who is 106 years old, owned Berdine’s Stitchery for many years. Prior to that, she worked at Moe Light after being employed at Perry Printing. During World War II, the plant converted its stamping presses and other production machinery to make Navy projectile cones, bomb fins and crates, chemical hand grenades, and bazooka rockets. She worked at a punch press making bomb fins, which would be bent at a right angle, welded onto a collar, then onto the bombs.
At the lectern, Dan Juday, who served as Sunday’s program coordinator, visits with Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Ben Dayton and his family.
Ready to receive visitors, the Stephen Ambrose remembrance bench features a quote made by the author, who wrote several books about World War II. Ambrose spent his childhood in Whitewater.
Jessica Punzel, at left, and her mother, Cindy Radtke, Jefferson, gather near a bench dedicated to two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. They are Gerald Endl and Kenneth Gruennert, who died in World War II. Endl was Radtke’s first cousin once removed on her mother’s side and Punzel’s second cousin once removed.
Chris Spangler photos.
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