For The Rapids City Times     

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wood County Veterans Memorial committee will host a ceremony to honor those who have served their country at on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m., on the Wood County Courthouse lawn, 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids.

Names that will be added to memorial are: David Coss, James Jesse, Richard Krohn, and Dennis Treu. Each of them served in Vietnam and their deaths are the result of contact with Agent Orange.

Seven legacy stones will be dedicated for men who served in the Air Force and Army. Two of the men served in World War II. Eleven Hmong men will have legacy stones dedicated. They fought in a “Secret Army” alongside Americans in Vietnam.

Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker will be the speaker. The Rev. Matthew Bergstresser, associate pastor at St. Lukes Lutheran Church, will provide the invocation and benediction. Music will be provided by the Assumption High School band, under the direction of Molly Thomas. Andrew Yang and Ahnabelle Khang will lead in the Pledge of Allegience.

Craig Lambert will be the emcee, Karen Schill will read the names of the American men, and Lor Bee Yang will read the names of the Hmong men.

Providing the color guard and rifle salute will be members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2534, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 101, American Legion Post No. 9, 54 and 442, American Legion Riders District 8, and Disabled American Veterans 55.

In case of bad weather the event will be moved to the fieldhouse at the former East Junior High School on Lincoln Street.