Drizzling rain on Memorial Day was no deterrent for Eagle River residents and visitors, who showed up at the Veterans’ Memorial Park to honor those who gave their lives in service to this country. Former marine officer Dick Leinenkugel of the Leinenkugel beer family spoke in honor of the nearly one million service members who have died, including 55 Vilas County residents since the Civil War. Citing a former Catholic chaplain in the marines, Father Dennis O’Brian, Leinenkugel said,
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, who gave us freedom to demonstrate.
The VFW Honor Guard, local boy and girl scouts, the Northland Pines High School Choir and Band all played roles in the ceremony, as did the 8th Wisconsin Artillery’s Cannon Salute.
