Town of Byron veterans will be honored at the annual Memorial Day tribute scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Byron Town Hall on May 29, 2017. This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Brooke Bloch who served with the Wisconsin Army National Guard 1157th Transportation Company and completed tours of duty in Korea, Japan, and Afghanistan. Bloch will share her experiences on the role of women in today’s military. A recent recipient of the Marian University Veteran of the Month award, Bloch is among the 21 veterans whose names are being added to the Town of Byron Veterans Memorial this year. The morning program also includes a roll call of veterans buried in Town of Byron cemeteries, a Color Guard rifle salute, and an open house exhibit from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event, co-sponsored by the Town of Byron Veterans Memorial Committee and the Byron Historical Society, is open to the public. The name additions and their time of service include Luther Biddlecom, Joseph Clark, David Donaldson, Franklin Gum, Eli Mason, and William S. Mulhollon from the Civil War; George Bohan, Alvin W. Fink, Lester O. Hobbs, and Bernard T. McCready from World War I; Elmer W. Bebow, Raymond C. Hoeppner, Floyd E. Klahn, Eugene A. Price, and David S. Steiner from World War II; Daniel H. Treleven, who served in both World War I and World War II; Albert G. Turner from the Korean War; Donald F. Klahn, who served in Vietnam; David J. Klahn and Gerald B. Mingus, serving during the Vietnam Era; and Brooke A. Bloch, who served during the Global War on Terrorism. Any of these veterans and their family members in attendance will be recognized during the ceremony. The Veterans Memorial Committee and the Byron Historical Society continue to research for names of veterans who lived or are buried in the Town of Byron. The open house exhibit will feature a tribute to the veterans whose names have been added to the Memorial in 2017, along with veterans’ photographs, homefront photographs and stories of Byron in the Great War, and an exhibit of window service flags created by third grade students from Theresa Elementary School. Town of Byron veterans in attendance at the open house will receive certificates of appreciation and a commemorative Veterans Memorial Pin. Veterans and family members are invited to bring photographs and memorabilia for display and discussion. The Byron Town Hall and Veterans Memorial is located at N3097 Highway 175 in Byron.
