Last Bugle Call, Memorial Day 2025, by Isabelle Lavertu [Photos by Tom Ganser]
Rifle salute, 2025
Last Bugle Call
We honor and remember the following Whitewater area veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” General George S. Patton.
Taps 27 May 2024 – 26 May 2025
Joseph C. Bauer Will D. Ensslin Robert W. Fiskum Charles A. Grover Edward W. Hamilton Leo J. Hansen Donald J. Jacobs John Kent, Jr. Raymond Miles Lee S. Murray Patrick J. O’Connor Ernest W. Regelein Fred C. Traxler Jack G. Trojan Bradford L. Tuttle John D. Varnes Robert K. Webb Clifford M. Witte Lloyd G. Worden Lowell V. Youngs
We apologize if we have omitted the name of any veteran. It is not intentional. We only know what we see reported in the media and other sources.
Steven R. Smith, Adjutant, William Graham Post 173, Whitewater American Legion
Editor’s note: Updated on 5/28 to add current photos
Dear Caregivers, you and your loved one are cordially invited to a tour of Hoard Museum in Ft. Atkinson on Wednesday June 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. The history of the dairy industry in Wisconsin is featured in the museum’s Dairy Shrine exhibit. Another favorite exhibit features the Civil War including a replica of a library like the one used by Abraham Lincoln. The museum’s gardens should be in full bloom and there are many places to sit and relax indoors and out.
The Mystery of the Mounds explores the culture of the native Americans of the Woodland Period who built effigy mounds in Wisconsin and the Mississippi valley, 700 in Jefferson County alone, over 1000 years ago. This was long before the familiar tribes of today, Potawatomie and Ho Chunk. Little is known about these mound builders except what is left of their earthen mounds in the shape of animals and birds still visible especially around Lake Koshkonong. Other items of interest in the Mystery of the Mounds exhibit are arrowhead collections, a diorama of a Late Woodland camp, a replica keyhole pit house and an informative video.
The Whitewater Dementia-Friendly Community Initiative is happy to sponsor this visit for caregivers and their loved ones. Capri Communities has graciously covered the suggested donation.
Caregivers should provide their own transportation to Hoard Museum, 401 Whitewater Ave., Ft. Atkinson WI 53538.
Registration is appreciated so we have enough volunteers to assist everyone. Please call Seniors in the Park at 262 473 0535 or email jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov by June 4.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Whitewater Dementia-Friendly Community Initiative.
William David Hofmann of Whitewater was among 3,591 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 3, 17 and 18.
Hofmann earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The graduates are from 57 countries, 46 U.S. states and 250-plus Nebraska communities.
John Wilberding kindly shared the following news: “Over the years Gulf Shores [Alabama] has been a point of destination for many Whitewater residents. It was announced recently that Allegiant will begin nonstop flights from Appleton to Gulf Shores beginning in October. A drive to Appleton is a bit shorter than the 1,065-mile drive to GS.”
Departures from Appleton and from Gulf Shores will normally be on Thursday and Sunday, starting on October 2, with occasional changes during holiday weeks. Fares vary considerably from one date to another. Currently there are one-way fares as low as $54.50 and as high as $224.
Allegiant is described as a low fare carrier; however, they have some “optional” fees that are similar, for example, to those of Spirit Airlines. Seat selection at the time of reservation can range from $0 to $80. It appears that there are no free beverages; the charge for drinks and snacks is $2-7. Booking travel through the call center incurs an additional fee of $19.99. One personal item, defined as follows, is free: “8 in. x 14 in. x 18 in. (20 cm x 35 cm x 45 cm) maximum -A purse, briefcase, laptop computer, small backpack, small camera or food container. The item must be stored completely underneath the seat in front of you.”
Baggage fees apply to carry-on and checked bags and vary depending on route and when the bag is added to your itinerary. Below are shown the fees that are quoted for a trip on October 2. A carry-on costs $1 more than a checked bag when paid for at booking!
According to gulfshores.com, Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) is just three miles from the beach. “From the airport, guests can call shuttles, taxis, or ride-share services like Lyft or Uber to take them to their accommodation. We suggest arranging transportation in advance to secure a ride. If you prefer to have a vehicle for your entire trip, book a rental car so you can easily get around the destination.”
Our thanks to John Wilberding for discovering and sharing this news.
Editor’s note: Minor corrections/changes were made shortly after this was posted on May 26.
University of Dubuque Spring Semester 2025 Academic Dean’s List
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque congratulates the following students on being appointed to the Spring Semester 2025 Academic Dean’s List.
Full-time students in good academic standing (registered for and having earned 12 or more letter grade credits for the term) who earn a term grade point average of 3.5 or above and who do not have any grades of Incomplete for the term are named to the Dean’s List. Once grades have been submitted for any Incompletes, the Office of Academic Affairs will review eligibility again for possible placement on the Dean’s List for the given term.
Dean’s List is awarded for the fall and spring semesters only and may be awarded retroactively.
About the University of Dubuque
The University of Dubuque (UD) is a private, coed university founded in 1852 that offers undergraduate, graduate, and theological seminary degrees as well as other educational opportunities with the intention of educating and forming the whole person. Here, the value of an education is measured in helping our students find their calling in life through academics, community, character, vocation, and stewardship. Our approach to learning is based on professional programs with a liberal arts core, and we prepare students to find their purpose and make meaningful contributions to the world. https://www.dbq.edu/
US Route 12 extends almost 2500 miles from Detroit, Michigan to Aberdeen, Washington, but it has been largely superseded by Interstates 90 and 94. It’s said that “unlike most U.S. Highways that have been superseded by an Interstate, US 12 remains intact as an important link for local and regional destinations.” [1] That’s certainly the case for the Whitewater area, but most residents are probably unaware that since 1993, per an act of the state legislature, the Wisconsin portion of the highway has been designated the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway. A historical marker [depicted above] in Augusta, Wisconsin in Eau Claire County tells the story, reading as follows:
“Highway 12 is dedicated to the brave soldiers of the Iron Brigade who fought in the Civil War of 1861-1865. Of the 672 infantry brigades in the Union Army, the Iron Brigade, composed of the 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan Regiments, experienced the highest rate of casualties. Also known as the “Black Hats,” they served in every major battle with President Abraham Lincoln’s Army of the Potomac, from Bull Run to Appomattox.“
Per Wikipedia, “Although it fought entirely in the Eastern Theater, it [the Iron Brigade] was composed of regiments from three Western states that are now within the region of the Midwest. Noted for its excellent discipline, ferocity in battle, and extraordinarily strong morale, the Iron Brigade suffered 1,131 men killed out of 7,257 total enlistments: the highest percentage of loss suffered by any brigade in the United States Army during the war.
The designation “Iron Brigade” is said to have originated during the brigade’s action at Turners Gap, during the Battle of South Mountain, a prelude to the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Maj. Gen.Joseph Hooker, commanding I Corps, approached Army of the Potomac commander Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, seeking orders. As the Western men advanced up the National Road, forcing the Confederate line back to the gap, McClellan asked, “What troops are those fighting in the Pike?” Hooker replied, “[Brigadier] General Gibbon’s brigade of Western men.”McClellan stated, “They must be made of iron.”
Hooker said that the brigade had performed even more superbly at Second Bull Run. To this, McClellan said that the brigade consisted of the “best troops in the world.” Hooker supposedly was elated and rode off without his orders. There are a few stories related to the origin, but the men immediately adopted the name, which was quickly used in print after South Mountain.”
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay.
City of Whitewater is Awarded High Flyer Bird City Status For 2025
Whitewater’s Urban Forestry Commission [UFC] wants to share with residents that our city has once again been awarded High Flyer Bird City Status! This is a high honor for our city. Each year, UFC holds various educational opportunities for city residents to educate us all on the importance of birds, their roles in the environment and each of our roles in protecting them and helping them to thrive! They are so much more than beautiful!
Be sure to stop by one of the Purple Martin communities at Minieska Park, Clay Street Nature Park or Starin Park and watch these delightful birds swoop and eat insects as they rear their young. And please join us at Whitewater Middle School this fall to watch the Chimney Swifts gang up to migrate south. Help us count the literally hundreds of these birds as they gather at this very important nesting site! Thank you to WMS! Take part in Backyard Bird Counts as citizen scientists and get to know this important part of our world.
The following communication was received from the Bird City Wisconsin program director.
Dear City of Whitewater, On behalf of myself and Bird City Wisconsin’s Steering Committee, I would like to congratulate the City of Whitewater on achieving High Flyer status in the Bird City Wisconsin program. Bird City communities are at the forefront of efforts to forge a statewide coalition of citizens and public officials who recognize that birds are more than beautiful – they are significant. Bird City Wisconsin truly appreciates both all that you do to green your community as well as all of the effort that you put into demonstrating all of your community’s actions to us during the renewal process. ~ Kelsey Bell, Program Director
About Bird City Bird City Wisconsin was created in 2009 and began recognizing communities the following year. The program recognizes municipalities for the conservation and education activities that they undertake to make their communities healthy for birds… and people. Bird City Wisconsin is the first Bird City program and served as the model for the Western Hemisphere-wide Bird City Network, of which Bird City Wisconsin is a founding member. To be recognized as a Bird City, a community must take actions across four categories (Habitat, Threat Reduction, Education & Engagement, and Sustainability) and officially recognize and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Bird City also offers High Flyer recognition for those communities that truly go above and beyond in their conservation and education programs. To become a High Flyer, a community must meet additional, and more involved, criteria.
JACKSON, MS — Congratulations to Justin Kilchenmann, on their recent graduation from Belhaven University. Kilchenmann, from Whitewater, WI, graduated with a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies degree.
Kilchenmann was among more than 400 students who received degrees from Belhaven University during the Spring 2025 commencement.
Belhaven University is a private Christian university with over 4000 students, located in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, visit www.belhaven.edu.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Belhaven University.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Names Rainbow Community Care a Winner of The Southeast Wisconsin Top Workplaces 2025 Award
Rainbow Community Care is pleased to announce that its organization has been honored with a prestigious Southeastern Wisconsin 2025 Top Workplaces Award by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Earning a Top Workplaces Award is a significant achievement for a local, independent, and non-profit organization like Rainbow, especially since it reflects genuine input from our employees,” said Carol Brown, RN, Rainbow Community Care President & CEO. “Our ability to serve the rural areas of Dodge and Jefferson counties so effectively for many years has only been possible because of our amazing team. The fact that 90 of our 116 staff took the time to tell us how we’re doing is quite humbling, and I’m thankful.”
Winners are determined based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC, an employee engagement technology company. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and various themes, including feelings of respect and support, opportunities for growth/development, and empowerment to take initiative, to name a few.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Top Workplaces celebrate companies and organizations across three categories: small, mid-size, and large, employing as few as 50 to over 500 individuals, that foster positive work cultures.
ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.
Final arrangements have been made for Memorial Day activities to be held on Monday, May 26th in Whitewater and hosted by American Legion Post 173 and VFW Post 5470.
At 6:00 AM members of the American Legion and anyone who wants to help will gather at the American Legion, 292 S. Wisconsin St., Whitewater to place American Flags along Main Street.
The parade will form at the Hearthstone Memory Care at Fairhaven parking lot [426 W. North Street] at 10:00 AM and will march off promptly at 10:30 AM concluding at the Downtown Whitewater Armory.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled but the program will be held at the Armory beginning at 11:00 AM.
Leading the parade will be the color guard of William Graham Post 173 American Legion. The Whitewater High School Band and the Whitewater Middle School Band will provide music for the parade. Featured in the parade will be guest speaker Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and American Legion Post 173 Vice-Commander Jessica Kienbaum. Also participating will be American Legion and VFW scholarship winners, Badger Boys and Girls State attendees, the American Legion Americanism award and the American Legion Outstanding Athlete award recipient. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Whitewater Youth Soccer, and other youth organizations are invited to participate.
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by Steve Smith.
Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff for Memorial Day
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #263 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., May 26, 2025, as the state and nation recognize Memorial Day to honor and remember the nation’s fallen heroes, as well as the family members and loved ones they left behind.
“As we honor Memorial Day, we solemnly pay tribute to service members throughout our nation’s history who have given their lives in service of the freedoms, principles, and values we hold dear,” said Gov. Evers. “These service members selflessly sacrificed their lives for this country, and we share a duty and a responsibility to protect and defend all those who have protected and defended us. On Memorial Day, in Wisconsin and across America, we are called upon to remember, reflect on, and honor our nation’s fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price and the loved ones, friends, and colleagues who miss them and cherish their memory every day.”
Executive Order #263 will be in effect from sunrise to 12 p.m., as is customary, on Mon., May 26, 2025, and is available here.
