By Carol Wyatt
WAUSAU – The Town of Wausau honored the nation’s military veterans Thursday with a wreath laying ceremony at the Blue Star Memorial Highway marker at the town square, the temporary location of the historical marker.
About 30 veterans and local residents gathered for the event, organized by the Wausau Garden Club in partnership with the Town of Wausau.
The crowd was welcomed by Mayor Roger Hagan and heard presentations from Wausau Garden Club President Lucinda Simonson, as well as from veteran and garden club member Roxanne Dukes, veteran Lori Conklin, and Reverend Cindy Pettis.
Sam Toole, Grace Assembly of God minister of music, played Taps to honor the memory of service men and women who have passed away. Wausau native and Vietnam veteran Kenneth Finch placed the wreath at the Blue Star marker.
The marker, which was originally placed along Highway 77 in 2011 to honor those who served in WWII, was relocated during the course of the road’s four-laning efforts and will be relocated to a more prominent location after the project is complete.
COLLIN BREAUX