Tribute to veterans: Ceremony held at the Milwaukee County War Memorial

MILWAUKEE -- On Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11th, people came together across the Milwaukee area to pay tribute to those who have served the country.

A Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Milwaukee County War Memorial. Milwaukee Police Post 415 of the American Legion has observed Armistice/Veterans Day with a ceremony since 1939.  This year’s commemoration was again a joint venture with Milwaukee Firefighters Post 426 of the American Legion.



"The preamble to the American Legion National Constitution starts with the words 'For God and Country,'" Kendel D. Feilen, master of ceremonies said Wednesday.

"In 1919, President Wilson directed that November 11th be commemorated as Armistice Day to honor those who served in the war," Colonel Dennis Konkel, with the Wisconsin National Guard and Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said.

Colonel Konkel was one of two featured speakers.

Colonel Konkel is the Commander of the 64th Troop Command, Wisconsin National Guard and is also a Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Captain assigned to the Training Division. He has completed two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His remarks were followed by Master Sergeant Trevor DeBoer.

"I would like to thank every member of the armed forces past, present and those to come for the freedoms and liberties that you have bestowed upon this great nation," DeBoer said.

Master Sergeant DeBoer is the Team Sergeant for “A” Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Illinois National Guard and is also a city of Milwaukee police officer assigned to the Neighborhood Task Force, Tactical Enforcement Unit. He has completed four deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"My message to future generations of veterans, like the special forces model suggests,' free the oppressed,'" DeBoer said.

Music was provided throughout the ceremony by the Greater Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums.  After the speeches, a wreath was laid at the Eternal Flame Memorial followed by a rifle salute and the playing of Taps.

Mayor Tom Barrett, Police Chief Ed Flynn, and representatives of the command staffs of the Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office attended the ceremony.

The Milwaukee VA also hosted a ceremony to honor veterans on Wednesday. It included music from the American Legion Band.

This year's guest speaker was a VA employee who came to the United States from Sri Lanka as a refugee in 1993. He served in the Army from 1999 to 2008.