MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Photos: Putting flags on 34,000 war veteran graves

Jonathan Friedland, of Milwaukee, carries his 1-year-old son, Maximus Aurelius-Thomas Friedland as they work on placing flags. Friedland served in the army in Bosnia from 1994 to 1996. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Jonathan Friedland, of Milwaukee, carries his 1-year-old son, Maximus Aurelius-Thomas Friedland as they work on placing flags. Friedland served in the army in Bosnia from 1994 to 1996. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“He was my best friend,” said 67-year-old Sue Winscher, of Milwaukee after she placed a flag and said a prayer at the grave site of her long-time companion, William Allen, who passed away in 1988 of cancer at the age of 59. Winscher likes to place the flag herself every year. Allen served as an Army nurse in Korea. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
“He was my best friend,” said 67-year-old Sue Winscher, of Milwaukee after she placed a flag and said a prayer at the grave site of her long-time companion, William Allen, who passed away in 1988 of cancer at the age of 59. Winscher likes to place the flag herself every year. Allen served as an Army nurse in Korea. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
11-year-old, Cameryn Mulligan and her father, Sean Mulligan both of Union Grove, Wis. work together to place flags. Sean Mulligan is a retired Army major. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
11-year-old, Cameryn Mulligan and her father, Sean Mulligan both of Union Grove, Wis. work together to place flags. Sean Mulligan is a retired Army major. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rachel Czarapata, of Menomonee Falls, collects a handful of some of the 34,000 flags to be placed. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Rachel Czarapata, of Menomonee Falls, collects a handful of some of the 34,000 flags to be placed. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bob Harenda, of New Berlin works among the many volunteers facing flags. Harenda is an Army veteran who served in the 1st infantry division in Vietnam. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Bob Harenda, of New Berlin works among the many volunteers facing flags. Harenda is an Army veteran who served in the 1st infantry division in Vietnam. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ron Rutkowski, of Greenfield, a veteran and volunteer with the spinal cord injury unit at the VA Hospital, works on placing flags. Rutkowski, served in the Army 25th infantry during Vietnam in 1969. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Ron Rutkowski, of Greenfield, a veteran and volunteer with the spinal cord injury unit at the VA Hospital, works on placing flags. Rutkowski, served in the Army 25th infantry during Vietnam in 1969. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Shelly Feely, from Wauwatosa, volunteering with GE Healthcare, plants a flag at a site. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Shelly Feely, from Wauwatosa, volunteering with GE Healthcare, plants a flag at a site. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Adam Fujarowicz walks up the hill after placing flags. Fujarowicz is currently in the Army Reserves and has been deployed twice to Afghanistan. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Adam Fujarowicz walks up the hill after placing flags. Fujarowicz is currently in the Army Reserves and has been deployed twice to Afghanistan. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rajashree Londhe, of Brookfield, volunteering with Johnson Controls, plants a flag at a site. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Rajashree Londhe, of Brookfield, volunteering with Johnson Controls, plants a flag at a site. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
12-year-old Mickayan Penkwitz, of West Bend, carries a group of flags in his backpack as he places one at a grave site. Penkwitz was with his father, Larry Penkwitz. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
12-year-old Mickayan Penkwitz, of West Bend, carries a group of flags in his backpack as he places one at a grave site. Penkwitz was with his father, Larry Penkwitz. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Larry Penkwitz, left, and Adam Fujarowicz search for remaining sites that need flags. Penkwitz, retired from the Army for 23 years, was deployed 5 times; twice to Bosnia, once to Iraq, and twice to Afghanistan. Fujarowicz is currently in the Army Reserves and has been deployed twice to Afghanistan. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Larry Penkwitz, left, and Adam Fujarowicz search for remaining sites that need flags. Penkwitz, retired from the Army for 23 years, was deployed 5 times; twice to Bosnia, once to Iraq, and twice to Afghanistan. Fujarowicz is currently in the Army Reserves and has been deployed twice to Afghanistan. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Kelly Groszczyk, of Waukesha, plants a flag. Groszczyk is an Iraq war veteran, as well as a member of the VFW Post 8320, and an employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Kelly Groszczyk, of Waukesha, plants a flag. Groszczyk is an Iraq war veteran, as well as a member of the VFW Post 8320, and an employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Wood National Cemetery staff and community volunteers began putting flags on each of the nearly 34,000 war veteran graves for Memorial Day at Wood National Cemetery at 5000 W. National Avenue., in Milwaukee. A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Wood National Cemetery on Memorial Day, on Monday, May 29 with Milwaukee American Legion Band performing at 9:10 a.m., followed by the presentation of colors at 9:30 a.m. at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, 5000. W National Ave.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel