Local Veterans Salute Celebrates 15 Years of Sharing Veterans Stories
Annual celebration to feature a giant display profiling more than 130 local veterans stories
CHIPPEWA FALLS – For the past 15 years, Chippewa Manor has hosted a special salute honoring U.S. military servicemen and women, during the week of Veterans Day. This year the organization is taking time to focus on the importance of celebrating and remembering veterans, by unveiling a giant display of the more than 130 local “Veterans Stories” it’s helped share during its annual celebration. This year’s Veterans Salute will take place Thursday, November 9 th beginning at 9 a.m., in the memorial courtyard of the Chippewa Manor campus, located at 222 Chapman Road in Chippewa Falls. The public is invited to attend.
During the past 15 years, every employee, resident or rehab client at Chippewa Manor, who has served in the armed forces, has been interviewed about their specific personal experiences. Interviews are then coupled with personal photos, historic research and context and presented in a framed, 11x14, commemorative form as part of the annual Veterans Salute celebration. Each of these “Veterans Stories” detail the times, dates, and important elements of an individual serviceman or servicemen woman’s journey through life. Chippewa Manor has developed and presented more than 130 of these stories since beginning the practice in 2009.
“We think it’s important to tell these stories and recognize those who have served our country,” Chippewa Manor Campus President Jill Gengler said. “Taking time to specifically celebrate those who have made sacrifices and served our nation in times of peace and conflict. To really honor them and let them know that their service and stories are appreciated - that is something we really believe in. That’s why we’ve made this celebration such a priority.”
This year’s Veterans Salute will include a free, drive thru breakfast for veterans and families. There will be a color-guard flag presentation and military gun salute by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council, remarks from Chippewa Falls Mayor, Gregory Hoffman, a reflective speech by retired Army Colonel, Dr. Dan Cavanaugh, MD as well as patriotic music performed by a group of Chippewa Falls McDonell High School students. It will also include a recap of Chippewa Manor’s year-long celebration of the founding anniversaries of the six branches of the U.S. military.
The Salute will conclude with a “missing-man formation” airplane flyover above the Chippewa Manor facility and the presentation of this year’s “Veterans Stories” to those veterans new to the campus. For more information about this event please contact Jill Genger at (715) 723-4437.