Sunday, November 11, 2012
Veterans Day Ceremonies were held in Muskego on Saturday and Sunday;
The VFW Post 8171 and American Legion Post 356 held their respective Veterans Day ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, complete with prayers, songs and the playing of 'Taps.' Muskego Regency hosted the VFW's ceremony on Satuday at 10 a.m., and Horn Field provided the outdoor backdrop for the 1 p.m. American Legion Ceremony. Luckily, rain held off until well after that ceremony concluded. Although attendance was light at both events, supporters were heartfelt in their expression of gratitude for the veterans, which represented service in World War II through the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. There does remain another opportunity for the public to attend Veterans Day remembrances, however. The American Legion will bring an indoor ceremony to …
Monday, September 10, 2012
While no other ceremonies are planned to commemorate September 11, the VFW has planned on a flag retirement ceremony ironically on Tuesday.
If you didn't have a chance to drop off your old United States flag at the red white and blue disposal bin in front of the Muskego Public Library, there's still time to do so before a flag retirement ceremony takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Muskego Department of Public Works (DPW). Dennis Duran, a member of the Muskego Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8171, said the group will meet at the DPW on Tuesday morning and will accept them there as well. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. Annually, the group collects the flags in person as well as through the collection bin at the library. The bin is emptied every Sunday morning by a VFW member and the group said they collect approximately 1,200 flags every year for their ceremony.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Muskego Regency hosts historical display of rare artifacts from the Civil War from VFW, which also depicts family history.
Jim Brinks brought his collection of Civil War artifacts from home, telling a story of America's bloodiest war as well as a tale of his own family, to the Muskego Regency Thursday. Brinks, a member of Muskego VFW Post 8171, said his interest in the war was a personal one, as a trunk full of items in his grandmother's attic revealed old pictures, flags, newspapers and dozens of other artifacts from his great grandfather, William Hendricks. He had served in the war first as a drummer in 1863, then joining up with the 70th Calvary in Illinois 1864. The drum was a part of the exhibit. The interest in collecting grew from that point, but also from Brinks' childhood in Illinois, where he lived near a soldiers home and would go fishing with the …
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Veteran recalls four years in the Navy, seeing the world and revisiting the ship 43 years later.
Family and friends have characterized Art Benotti as "one busy guy," and to catch his story of military experience during the Vietnam war took a little bit of scheduling. The vice president of the Muskego Athletic Association is also active in the VFW Post 8171 in Muskego, and according to his wife Carol keeps a pretty active schedule since 'retiring' after 28 years with the phone company. Benotti's experience in the U.S. Navy as an internal communications specialist on the USS Enterprise led him to the career with AT&T, but it also led him to places criss-crossing the globe in the four years he served aboard the aircraft carrier. Enlisting from his hometown of Boston, MA, an 18-year-old Benotti was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Station in…
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Please give those who served their due as we head toward Memorial Day. Here are many options to give thanks and remember.
Muskego is served by two great veterans' organizations, each having a Memorial Day ceremony throughout the weekend to come, and this year there is also an opportunity to revisit history, back in the time that the holiday was first called "Decoration Day." While the weather is looking good thus far, the weekend is far more meaningful when we can take a little time out to celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day. Here are planned events in Muskego: Thursday, May 24 - Civil War Artifacts Exhibition, Muskego Regency Jim Brinks is with the Muskego VFW Post 8171 and has a wealth of history, much of it from his own family, that dates back to the Civil War. He is displaying rare memorabilia from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Teachers/parents: this is a …
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Despite cold and rainy conditions, many Muskego groups come out to help out; food pantry a big winner in the efforts.
No doubt, Saturday wouldn't have been anyone's dream day to spend outside. Temps hovering in the low 40s and an off-and-on drizzle made for - let's face it - lousy conditions. However, volunteers associated with many Muskego nonprofit organizations and citizens groups made the best of it, and from most reports, results were successful. The Muskego Food Pantry got a fair share of attention from two food drives. The Bay Lane PTO and student council were stationed in front of Pick n Save to "stuff the bus." Staff from the school said there had already been 1,700 items collected at the school, and donations were steady throughout the morning. Further up the road, Walmart was the site to "stuff the truck" with volunteers from the VFW Post 8171…
Friday, April 27, 2012
Despite less-than-stellar weather, there is still a ton of events happening in and around Muskego. Here is a quick run down of what's happening on this unusually busy weekend.
If you tried to catch everything that's happening on our events calendar, you may just go back to work on Monday to get some rest. Here is a fast n' furious run through of events. For details, check our weekend events calendar! Friday April 27 Saturday, April 28 Sunday, April 29
Friday, December 16, 2011
Students in middle and high school respond to the call for patriotic essays
The Muskego VFW Post 8171 had its hands full with submissions for its Patriot Pen essay contest, but no one was complaining. The Post received 50 submissions from middle schoolers for Patriot Pen, up from 35 last year. In addition, the high school contest dubbed the Voice of Democracy, had yielded little interest so the VFW no longer sponsored it, but were happy to see "an enterprising student" from Muskego High School submit an essay. Dennis Duran, past commander for the post, congratulated the students and their parents for fostering "a love of country," and thanked them for their efforts in composing the essays. Tom Couture, who oversees the contest, said that the results took a while to get through and deciding the top three essays …
Friday, November 11, 2011
Veteran's Day is upon us, and it's a great precursor to Thanksgiving, as it gets us in practice for counting our blessings and remembering gratitude means little unless it's expressed.
I believe I've mentioned my dad is a very proud member of the VFW Post 8171 in Muskego, and proud of his decision made 57 years ago to enlist in the Army. Last weekend he assisted the VFW in their efforts to raise funds through 'buddy poppy' sales, a task he found enjoyable even though it left his legs a little sore from standing. He recalled one woman giving him a hug in thanks, and that it really touched him. It's easy to forget that the neighbor next door, the mail carrier, quite possibly the cop who just handed you a ticket or a local coach used to wear a military uniform. However, if you do know of someone, or spot a telltale military patch on their jacket, today is the day to ask them when they served, and of course to say thanks. …
Friday, November 4, 2011
While Nov. 11 is Veterans' Day, Muskego ceremonies will mark the event a little early.
These may be simply items on the calendar, and a brief mention in an earlier article, but it bears repeating and reminding, especially as the weekend can grab our attention all too easily. Veteran's Day ceremonies will be conducted by the Muskego Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8171 at the Muskego Regency on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10am. Along with a remembrance for all POWs and MIAs, there is a roll call done to honor those veterans still here. It is well worth anyone's time to spend 45 minutes with this group, and to meet history with a handshake and a word of thanks. On Monday, Nov. 7 at Tudor Oaks, the Muskego American Legion Post 356 will also conduct ceremonies at 10am. This too is a great opportunity to say hello and say thanks …
Denise Konkol
9:50 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
It's funny when veterans tell you their stories aren't interesting, and most often do say that prior to their interview. Art was no exception. However seeing San Fransisco in 1967 from the deck of a military aircraft carrier had to be an experience. more ›