Port to mark Veterans Day first with program in park, then at school

Port Washington will honor its living and deceased service members during two ceremonies in the coming week.

There will be a ceremony at Coal Dock Park at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 — an observance that organizer Mike Keller said he hopes to make an annual event on the Saturday before Veterans Day.

The program will be highlighted by a flyover of seven vintage aircraft and the pledge of allegiance led by 102-year-old Army veteran Robert Charles of Grafton, who served during the China-Burma-India Campaign in World War II. Charles will also speak during the observance.

There will also be remarks by Ken Grigas, an Army veteran who is active with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Military Historians.

Keller, who will serve as the emcee, said the program will include the presentation of colors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard, the singing of the national anthem by Port High student Josie Ryder and a welcome by Port Mayor Ted Neitzke.

Jim Johnson, commander of the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82, will offer a recognition of veterans and lay a wreath.

Following the ceremony, there will be a luncheon at the Van Ells-Schanen Legion Hall on Lake Street in Port.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Port Washington High School will induct four alumni who served in the military into its Wall of Honor during the traditional Veterans Day commemoration.

The ceremony at the school’s Performing Arts Center will begin at 10:25 a.m.

It will include music by the Port High School band and choirs, the presentation of the colors and remarks by the president of the Student Council and Principal Rachel Biertzer.

Four veterans will be named to the Wall of Honor. They are:

n Ronald Schowalter, a 1944 graduate of Port High who served in the Army Air Corp. He was nominated by the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post in Port.

n Robert Clearwater, a member of the Class of 1989 who served in the Army. He will be introduced by his daughter Emily, and was nominated by the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post in Port.

n Wilbert Klopp, a member of the Class of 1936, served in the Navy. He was nominated by the Landt-Thiel American Legion Post 470 in Saukville. 

n Patrick Nelson, who graduated from Port High in 1967 and served in the Marine Corps. He was nominated by the Ozaukee County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5373.