Banners are displayed along
Veterans Lakeshore Drive • Rice Lake, WI from:
Memorial Day May 27th, 2024 -
Patriot Day September 11th, 2024
Each year, honorary banners will be draped along Veterans Lakeshore Drive, showing support for service members with local ties to the community or community members.
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Nominations are collected yearly, and names are drawn to select each years honorees. If a nomination was not drawn, that nomination will go back into the list of future draws.
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Due to the outpour of support, there is no cost to the service family/member to be a part of the project. Please check out our amazing supporters below, this project would not be possible without the support of these local businesses and people! We are so thankful!
We invite you to enjoy a walk along beautiful Veterans Lakeshore Drive, and honor our hero's from the past and present.
2024 SERVICE MEMBERS
DAVID D GRAVUNDER, US ARMY
1977-2009
David Gravunder has honorably served our beautiful country from 1977 - 2009. He served in Operation Desert Freedom and became a Master Sergeant in the AGR (Active Guard Reserve).
DALTON L. KUHL, US ARMY
2019 - PRESENT
A good man looks out for himself.
A better man looks out for others.
MATTHEW BARNETT, US NAVY
2007-2009
Matt enrolled in the Delayed Entry program when he was a Sophomore in High School. In July of 2007, he started serving in Japan as part of the VFA192 Golden Eagles. He served on the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 until its decommissioning, then boarded the George Washington until his discharge in May 2009.
CHAD "GUNNY" GREINER, US MARINE CORPS
1991-1995
Chad Greiner entered the Marine Corps shortly after graduation from Rice Lake High School in 1991. He was deployed and trained in the following areas: California, Korea, Mt. Fuji Japan, Philippines, Okinawa Japan, Haiti, and North Carolina.
Chad was part of (ARG) Amphibious Ready Group. He was on the USS Nashville that was support for a mission to Haiti to restore democracy.
Chad said “I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to be one of the few and proud who protected America and the rights of the people.”
JACOB T BARNHARDT, US ARMY
2007-2022
Jake was born on July 31, 1988, in Ft. Hood, TX, to LaVerne and Cindy Barnhardt. He passed away tragically on March 6, 2023. Jake was a son, a brother, a father, a comrade, and an amazing life partner. He was a defender of freedom and a protector of all. Jake devoted 15 years of his life to the United States Army, where he served as a Special Forces Combat Medic in 5th Special Forces Group. Out of all the accomplishments in Jake's life, the family he created was his greatest. He was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his family after getting out of the Army. He grew up a class clown, and that desire to make people laugh never faded. A truly unique soul, Jake was as authentic as they come. To put into words the true essence of who Jake was is simply not possible. He served his country fearlessly, loved his family endlessly, and will be forever missed.
JACK EVITCH, US NAVY
1958-1961
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children or working on some stage in L.A.? Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke Rising against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones and pray for the ones who don't know? Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble and sob for the ones left below? Did you burst out with pride for the red, white and blue and the heroes who died just doing what they do? Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer and look at yourself and what really matters?
I'm just a singer of simple songs, I'm not a real political man. I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young, Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us, And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children or driving down some cold interstate? Did you feel guilty because you're a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her? Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened. Close your eyes and not go to sleep? Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow or go out and buy you a gun? Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching and turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers? Did you stand in line and give your own blood? Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family? Thank God you had somebody to love?
I'm just a singer of simple songs, I'm not a real political man. I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God and I remember this from when I was young. Faith, hope and love are some good things he gave us, and the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
- Alan Jackson, Where Were You
ROBERT J DOWNEY, US NAVY
1990-1994
American girls and American guys
We'll always stand up and salute
We'll always recognize
When we see Old Glory flying
There's a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night when we lay down our head
My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye but he flew a flag out in our yard
Until the day that he died
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy
In the land of the free
Now this nation that I love has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flyin' in from somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly
Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world
Like the fourth of July
Hey Uncle Sam, put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty started shakin' her fist
And the eagle will fly man, it's gonna be hell
When you hear mother freedom start ringin' her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
Justice will be served and the battle will rage
This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage
And you'll be sorry that you messed with
The U.S. of A.
'Cause we'll put a boot in your (butt)
It's the American way
Hey uncle sam put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty started shakin' her fist
And the eagle will fly it's gonna be hell
When you hear mother freedom start ringin' her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
A Tribute to Toby Keith
- Toby Keith, Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue
MELANIE HUTERA, US ARMY
1987-2013
Melanie graduated from High School in Birchwood, WI in 1986 at age 17. She joined the Army Reserves at age 18, in 1987. In 1991 she joined Active Duty in the Army. In 2003-2004 she deployed through Germany to Iraq. In 2013 she Retired after 26 ½ years of service, as Sergeant First Class at age 45. She had 22+ years as Human Resources Non-Commissioned Officer.
FRANK PETIT, US ARMY
1966-1986
Frank Petit graduated from Winter high school in 1964, and was married in 1972, and started a family in 1973. He served in the Army National Guard for 20 years, from 1966-1986, has been part of the honor guard for 30 years, and a member of the American legion for 35 years. Frank is also an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He ran a bus trip to games for the Moose Lodge for several years. He was on the waiting list for season tickets for 24 years and finally got them in 1989. His first Packer game was against the Atlanta Falcons in 1966, and the packers won the game 56-3. The game was sold out, but he used his uniform to get in. What a first game! Frank is very proud of his time served and still enjoys doing what he can to support our veterans and service organizations. These days Frank enjoys taking in as many Packer games as possible, camping, and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchild.
LLOYD L (Doc) SCHULTZ, US ARMY
1999-2014
Lloyd was nominated by his team members at Randall Therapeutic Services and here is what they have to say about him:
Lloyd’s unit knows him as Doc, but we know him as Charlie. Charlie enlisted at 18, he became an Army Ranger Medic and began taking care of his military family. After 15 years, 4 tours in Iraq and being deployed all over the world and United States, Charlie sustained injuries that ended his military career despite his courageous efforts to heal and return to his unit. Charlie’s selflessness, passion, heart, courage, and determination have led him on a different path for his military family. He recognizes the needs of Veterans within our and surrounding communities; these gaps in services, support, and care motivate him to make a difference not only for the Veterans but for all service members. This path brought Charlie to Randall Therapeutic Services (RTS) and we have the wonderful honor of knowing him as our colleague but more importantly as our friend. Though Charlie advocates openly, thoughtfully, and passionately for all the clients seen at RTS; his heart continues to be with the family that he made at 18. To help heal the wounds that are not seen by the world, to allow Veterans to come together in support, and to reduce the number of Veterans who take their life – these are his goals, his passion, his purpose, and his heart. We could not be prouder of him.
LARRY DALE MILLER, US MARINE CORPS
1965-1967
Born on a farm in Rice Lake. Graduated Rice Lake High school. Joined the Marines and went to Vietnam in ‘66. Picked up my gun and went to work, came home, moved around a bit. Came back to Rice Lake with my wife Francine and three children, Tim, Adam and Amber. Wouldn't have changed a thing!
MICHAEL KERBER, US AIR FORCE
2007 - PRESENT
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
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President John F. Kennedy (Inaugural Address, 20 Jan 1961)
WILLIAM C DARLING, US ARMY
1953-1955
William C Darling, born 1932 in Milbrook Illinois. He graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1950. William served in the United States Army Feb. 20, 1953 to Feb. 17, 1955. He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. During his time in the Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and the Good Conduct Medal. He received his honorable discharge Feb. 28, 1961 after being in the Standby Reserves.
William loved hunting, finishing, and playing cards. He was a very talented and gifted carpenter. His deepest passion was to his family. William passed away May 26, 2002. He is and will be forever in our hearts. He is not only our Hero but our guardian angel.
ANDREW WHITMIRE, US MARINE CORPS
2008 – PRESENT
Andrew Whitmire, from Wisconsin, has a sense of service and patriotism that called him to join the Marine Corps in 2008. Initially serving as a Musician in the Marine Forces Pacific Band in Hawaii, he performed in places such as China, Tonga, American Samoa, Cambodia, and Canada, among others. In 2012, he changed occupational specialties to Intelligence Specialist. As an Intelligence Specialist, he was promoted through the ranks to Gunnery Sergeant. As enlisted, he served in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune for 2d Intelligence Battalion, and 6th Marine Regiment, and at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for Marine Wing Support Squadron 274; in Japan at 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade; in Ghana at the Defense Attaché Office, U.S. Embassy Accra, and in Chad at the Defense Attaché Office, U.S. Embassy N’Djamena. In 2022, he was appointed as an Intelligence Operations and Fusion Warrant Officer and was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 in 2023. He currently is serving in Twentynine Palms, California, at 7th Marine Regiment.
ALAN FILER, US MARINE CORPS
2021 - PRESENT
Alan has wanted to be a soldier since he was a little boy. He had us paint his room camouflage. When he was 18 years old he decided to enlist into the Marine Corps. He is still new into the military but he has done some cool training. The thing he likes is that you are always meeting new people and learning new things.
JAMES RESAC, US AIR FORCE
1978-1998
James (Jim) Resac proudly served his country in the Air Force/Air National Guard from 1978-1998 and retired being a Master Sergeant. Jim and his wife Julie have lived in Rice Lake for 30+ years, moving here from Fort Wayne, Indiana in late January of 1992 after being selected as the new Rice Lake Fire Chief. Jim and Julie raised a family here in Rice Lake and they are very proud to call it home! Jim served as the Rice Lake Fire Chief for 28 years and retired a couple of years ago. After retirement, he decided to continue his public service and became a City Council Member. He currently serves on the Rice Lake City Council.
LOREN J. MILLER, US ARMY
1953-1955
Loren J. Miller served in the U.S. Army as a Private Signal Specialist from March 27th, 1953 to March 25th, 1955. He served in the Korean War. Loren was nominated by his Neice & Goddaughter Rebecca Sadowski.
BRUCE N MCDONALD, US ARMY
1968-1974
Bruce McDonald was born in Racine, WI. He met and married Kathleen “Kathie” (Clark). He received a letter from the Draft Board on March 25, 1968. Bruce and his twin brother Brian went for their physicals in Milwaukee and about 2 weeks later received a letter with the header from the President of the United States of America Richard M. Nixon. Bruce was selected for the Armed Forces of The United States.
Bruce reported to his Draft Board on April 22, 1968 in Racine, WI. From there he boarded a bus and went to the Induction Center in Milwaukee, WI. Next, Bruce left Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee, WI and landed in St. Louis, MO. Finally, he boarded a much smaller plane which took him to Fort Campbell, KY for his basic training. Once his basic training was complete, Bruce was sent to Fort Sill, OK which was a military base for Artillery. Bruce would study and work in the field of Artillery Ballistic Meteorology. This was the study of weather and the effect it has on the artillery shell going through the air. Once Bruce finished his schooling in Artillery Ballistic Meteorology, he was selected to go to Advanced Leaders Course - Non Commissioned Officer School (ALC-NCO school). For several weeks he was taught the leadership courses of command, giving orders and advanced weapons.
After graduation, Bruce was promoted to SP/5 (Specialist Fifth Class) and received orders for Vietnam. After a leave, he left Chicago O’Hare International Airport for Oakland, CA. From Oakland, he continued on to Bein Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam.
After landing in Bein Hoa, South Vietnam, Bruce received orders to report to First Field Forces Vietnam (1FFV) in Nha Trang. Once there, he was told he was assigned to 3rd of the 26 Target Acquisition Battalion attached to an Artillery Company at Camp Radcliff An Khe. Bruce’s Artillery Company’s nickname was the Traveling Guns. A few days after arriving there, Bruce met a Sergeant E-6 from the Firebase who was there picking up supplies. The two of them, along with the supplies, caught a flight to Phan Thiet. There, the supplies were unloaded from the plane and put on a helicopter. Once the supplies were loaded, they boarded the helicopter and headed to the firebase which was called LZ Sandy. This would be Bruce’s new home during the time he was stationed in Vietnam.
On March 31, 1970, Bruce landed at McChord Air Force Base on his way home from Vietnam. He was then taken to Fort Lewis Military Reservation. Here he received his ticket for Chicago, IL with a stop in St. Paul, MN. Bruce was granted a 30-day leave. Upon arrival, he was able to meet his first child, Carmin for the first time. After his leave was up, Bruce and his family went to Fort Sill, OK. In April of 1971 Bruce’s time in the Army was over.
Bruce had served in the US Army from 1968-1971. Eleven months of those were spent in Vietnam. He was officially discharged from the US Army on April 1, 1974.
Bruce was fortunate to fly on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Mission 64 out of Milwaukee, WI honoring Veterans on September 10, 2022 with his daughter Carmin as his guardian. After going on the flight, Dad became an ambassador of sorts…telling every Veteran he met that they needed to go.
Bruce passed away on Dec. 9, 2023. He is survived by his wife Kathie; daughters Carmin, Michelle and Cheryl; son-in-law Dan; and 2 granddaughters Stacey and Tori.
**All the information about enlisting in the Army and his time in Vietnam came from stories that Bruce wrote.
EDWARD C SKAR, US AIR FORCE
1972-1992
Edward Skar graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1972 and immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, where he was further trained and worked on missile maintenance, including nuclear missiles. Later he was transferred to Korea, Nevada, North Carolina and Washington. He served a total of 17 years in the Air Force and also served 3 years in the US Army. He wanted to do this in honor of his father Orlin Skar who served in the Army during WWII. After his service, he worked in the US Postal Service until he retired in Tacoma Washington. Edward passed away in 2021 and is greatly missed by his wife, son, grandson, and family.
DONALD P ZIMMERMAN, US MARINE CORPS
1941-1945
Donald P. Zimmerman was born in Rice Lake, WI to Phil and Mary Zimmerman. He attended St Joseph School and Rice Lake High School. In 1941 he left UW-Madison to enlist in the United States Marine Corp.
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On September 8, 1941, he arrived in San Diego, California for basic training. He served in Kodiak, Alaska in 1942. In 1943 he was sent to Hawaii for training. After training, he was sent to fight in the South Pacific in 1944. Platoon Sgt Zimmerman, 3rd Platoon “I” company led his men in battle on the islands of Saipan and Tinian, which are two of the Marianas Islands.
On Easter Sunday morning, April 1, 1945, he was on a ship heading to the island of Okinawa when the ship was struck by a kamikaze plane. All Marines and ship crew members were forced to bail ship by jumping into the ocean. Eventually they were rescued by another ship. This group of Marines would return to fight on the island of Saipan once again.
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On November 1, 1945, he was honorably discharged and returned to Rice Lake where he married Helen Andrews, and they raised their 6 children. Dan and Helen owned and operated Zimmerman Jewelers until December 31, 1983.
CARL H BUNDGAARD, US ARMY AIR FORCE
1943 - 1947
Carl H. Bundgaard was born on July 21, 1922, in Withee, Wisconsin. He was the son of Lawrence C. Bundgaard and Anne M. Bundgaard. Carl is the great uncle to local Rice Lake resident, Justine Bundgaard.
Carl enlisted in Roswell, New Mexico, on January 27, 1943. He served in the 505th Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group, as a Fighter during World War II.
On July 4, 1944, aboard P-51 Mustang #42-103314, 2Lt Bundgaard took off from Station 378 airfield in Fowlmere, England, for a bomber escort mission to Saumur, France. His plane suffered an engine failure in the vicinity of Authon, France, on this very first mission. He bailed out successfully and then managed to evade capture with the assistance of the French resistance. He returned to Fowlmere 22 days later.
2Lt Bundgaard was promoted to First Lieutenant on September 20, 1944. His end tour of duty in England was on March 31, 1945.
Carl died in service on April 15, 1947. He is now buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was awarded the following medals for his bravery and sacrifice. Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters (2 silver, 1 bronze) Distinguished Flying Cross European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal
To nominate a Past or Present Service Member for future years displays, please email the following information to:
All information below is required for a full nomination:
• SERVICE MEMBER NAME & RANK
• MILITARY BRANCH
• YEARS OF SERVICE / WAR(S) (Years of service example: 1998-2001)
• PHOTO OF SERVICE MEMBER
Shortly after nominations are closed each year, you will receive an email acknowledging if your nomination has been drawn for the following years banner displays.
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The banners will be displayed along Veterans Lakeshore Drive from Memorial Weekend through Patriots Day, September 11th. We will then remove the banners from the lakeshore poles, clean them, and have them ready for presentation to be given back to the Service Members and/or their family during the
Veterans Day community program.
THANK YOU TO OUR PROUD SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS!
This years banners would not be possible without the support of these businesses and community members.
We thank you for your support!
Bob & Julie Anderson
