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thedrifter
05-16-07, 06:46 AM
Posted May 16, 2007

Omro Military Veterans Memorial set for dedication
By Doug Zellmer
of The Northwestern


OMRO — It's a memorial area military veterans have been waiting to showcase.


The Omro Veterans Memorial will be officially dedicated on Memorial Day, May 28 following a parade in downtown Omro. The memorial is located in West Scott Park in downtown Omro.


The memorial, which cost about $150,000, has five granite panels to honor those who have served their country.


The names and branch of service of Omro area veterans who died in a war or are missing in action from World War II to the present are etched on a panel. Also, Omro area veterans who served in the military and are deceased have their names etched on the four remaining panels.


Laser etched military service emblems — for the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines — are on the outside of the panels.


Omro resident and Vietnam War veteran John Hoeft is excited about the veteran's memorial.


"It's going to be the biggest highlight that ever hit the city of Omro and is a tribute to our veterans that is long overdue," said Hoeft, commander of Daugherty-Hamilton American Legion Post 234 in Omro, the veteran's group that spearheaded the memorial.


Hoeft said he expects 2,000 or more people to attend the Omro Veterans Memorial dedication, including families of veterans who have died in action or are MIA.


The memorial is just about ready.


Hoeft said names of some veterans still need to be etched on panels by G. Reinke & Co. Monuments of Oshkosh before the Memorial Day dedication, and some electrical work has to be finished. The memorial will be lighted 24 hours a day.


Ed Goss, a member of the Daugherty-Hamilton American Legion Post 234, said people stop everyday to look at the memorial.


"The veterans memorial is the nicest thing I've seen happen around here in a long time," Goss said.


Hoeft said funds were raised to build the veterans memorial, including in kind donations by contractors. He said money may still be donated to the memorial to cover the cost of adding new names in the future. Donations can be sent to the Omro Veterans Memorial, First National Bank of Omro, 120 Alder Ave., Omro, WI 54963. Checks can be made out to the Omro Veterans Memorial.


"It's been great to see the participation and support for the memorial by the public, businesses and organizations," Hoeft said. "For us to have achieved something like this is unbelievable."


Doug Zellmer: (920) 426-6667 or dzellmer@thenorthwestern.com.

Ellie