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On July 9th the Pewaukee Yacht Club honored our veterans with a free gala event that ran from noon till 5PM. This event was tied into the Honor Flights of Wisconsin that fly WW II vets to Washington D.C. all expense paid to view their memorial. All proceeds that came out of the event went to the Honor Flights and to date over $10,500 that has gone to them. 79 veterans attended and were honored with most of them members, former members or related to PYC members. An estimated 350 attended with ages ranging from infants to 90+.
.jpg "Kettle Moraine High School Drumline")
The event started with the Kettle Moraine High School Drumline to gather attention for the St John's Northwestern Military Academy's Color Guard that presented the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was then lead by the VFW/American Legion Honor Guard and the National Anthem was performed by the Marj Fowler Quartet. Wauke.jpg "Biwer Family") sha County Executive Dan Vrakas provided the welcoming remarks and a proclamation was presented to Commodore Guidinger for the PYC from Waukesha County. Lt. Colonel D.J. Klauser presented an American flag dedicated to the PYC that was flown at his base in Iraq to the Commodore. Former PYC member and retired Navy Commander Howard Nelson read a personal letter to all veterans written by the Vice Admiral of the US Navy Dirk Debbink. Paul Biwer, Mary Carol DeGuire and Dottie Biwer read each of the 161 veterans names that were honored with a bell rung for each of the deceased.
12 area restaurants and Albrechts Sentry donated all of the food for the event. After some food and mingling a live auction by Mike Gerlach brought in over $7,000 in about 12 minutes. Rides in a vintage warbird trainer and Jere Sullivan's Bacchant were some of the most popular items followed by a Ride on the Valkyrie, tickets to a Brewers/Astros game and a Palmer's Steakhouse gift certificate.
The USO show was the highlight of the entertainment featuring the likes of Bob Hope (Tod.jpg "USO Show") d Haines), Lee Greenwood (Jim Knutson & Molly Burns), Marilyn Monroe (Kathy Gutenkunst), The Andrews Sisters (Kim, Olivia, and Catherine Haines) and Kate Smith (Deonna Haines). 87 year old WW II Lt. Colonel Henry Ratensky and Robyn Pearce graced the dance floor with a couple of nostalgic songs from the 40's. A 21 gun Salute by the VFW/American Legion and the playing of Taps by Wendy Olson was timed with the Vintage Aircraft flyover by the Wisconsin Commemorative Air Force to wrap up the day's festivities.
It was a day of joy, thanks, family, and emotion for all that attended. Many compliments were received verbally, in letters and emails. Truly a testament to the volunteerism of the PYC's membership. We cannot begin to name all of the volunteers that made this a success but please accept our heartfelt .jpg "Peter Harken, Ruth O'Malley, Tom O'Malley, David Buckley") thanks from the organizing committee for all of your help. You know who you are and it was because of you that this went so well. This was an event that was an idea of Peter Harken's over a few beverages with Tom and Ruth O'Malley, Pat and Fran Holloway and David Buckley, drafted as general manager, and a team was assembled to pull off a first class event only 58 days from the first organizational meeting. It was an event, and a cause we all can be very proud of.
The purpose of this event was to educate our younger members that freedom is not free and that there was plenty of help from their family members who defended the freedom we have in America. Our mission has really just started in that we are getting great coverage from the p.jpg "Some of our Honored Veterans") ress. Stay tuned to your favorite sailing magazines that will tell the story of July 9th at the PYC honoring their veterans. It is the committee's sincere desire for this type of veteran recognition will go national through the help of US Sailing and the press. We are available to all yacht clubs across the country to help them carry out similar events. If you know of others wishing to put on an event like ours they can contact us via the PYC website.
For more information contact David Buckley at:
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