La Crosse honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice

Parade, ceremonies mark a day of remembrance

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Our fallen heroes were honored in La Crosse Monday.

The annual Memorial Day parade stepped off at 9 a.m. in Downtown La Crosse. The streets were lined with parade goers who sat in the rain to pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

We caught up with a man who is currently serving in the navy and wanted to show is support for our nation’s military by watching today’s parade. “This is the greatest holiday that we have in remembrance of those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said parade goer Steven Evelhoch, “who had their lives changed forever so they could change ours forever.”

The parade ended at Oak Grove Cemetery where a ceremony was held. It included a color guard and 21 gun salute.

There was a performance by the Central High School Band and a speech by Fort McCoy Command Sgt. Major DeeAnn Dunstan. A member of the Civil Air Patrol in attendance is happy to see our community honor our fighting men and women. “I think it’s outstanding, great parade, great ceremony afterward,” said Cadet Major Michael Cunningham of the Civil Air Patrol, “Memorial Day is a day to recognize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom in their country here in America.”

There were similar ceremonies held at cemeteries around the La Crosse area.

From Oak Grove Cemetery, residents traveled to Riverside Park for a ceremony by the La Crosse Naval Reserve.

The community event features speakers and a color guard. There was also a wreath laying ceremony on the river.

A commander with the naval sea cadets says la Crosse is always willing to honor our troops and veterans. “I think La Crosse is a very patriotic community and I hope and pray that it continues to be so,” said Lt. Tom Sweeney, a commander with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, “Those that have given the ultimate sacrifice in the protection and freedoms of our country deserve our remembrance.”

After the ceremony, there was a lunch offered at the VFW.