A much more welcome return this time around

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: April 17, 2018

A much more welcome return this time around

One vet had a much different airport experience 50 years ago

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

MILWAUKEE — It was worth it for West Bend’s Jerry Goratowski.

A crowd of thousands packed the terminal inside General Mitchell International Airport, despite the rain and snow mix that was blanketing the city outside the airport, to thank more than 100 veterans returning from their day of honor Saturday in Washington for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

The size of the crowd was moving, emotional and left some in tears. Goratowski was no exception.

“It’s off the chart,” said Goratowski, a Vietnam War veteran, shouting over a loud contingent of grateful people, clapping and cheering for veterans walking through the welcoming line and marching band music playing.

“My heart is beating,” he said. “When I got off the plane, I was cool and calm, but when I hit (the welcome line), my heart was racing.”

“That was something,” said West Bend’s John Pedersen, a fellow Vietnam veteran and one of 10 Washington County veterans on the Honor Flight.

“It’s really overwhelming,” Goratowski said.

About 50 years ago, Goratowski returned home after a year in Vietnam. When he got home, something came up for his arranged ride and there was no one available to pick him up.

So, he used $30 to take a yellow taxi cab from General Mitchell Airport back home to Hartford — about 45 miles.

On Saturday, Goratowski came home to a welcome home party like no other. He heard the stories from others who experienced it before him. But it was unlike anything he dreamed of after experiencing it for himself.

When veterans step off the plane, bagpipes blare and two lines of local servicemen and servicewomen

line the concourse, saluting the vets as they walk or are wheeled past. Then, once past the TSA security checkpoint, thousands and thousands of people, most of whom are holding American flags or signs saying “Welcome Home” or “Thank you for your service” give them the ovation so many didn’t get 45 or more years earlier.

The lines of people behind two roped-off areas are several people deep, all extending a hand for the veterans to shake.

“You’ve got to be there,” Goratowski said. “I don’t care what anyone tells you, you’ve got to be there, you’ve got to be in that moment.

“It’s a day I’m never going to forget, I’ll tell you that.”

Goratowski served in the Navy from 1968-1974 and was in Vietnam for one year. He was born in Milwaukee and moved to Hartford when he was 10 or 11 years old. He graduated from Hartford Union High School in 1968. Within four months, he was in Vietnam, serving on the USS Leary. Goratowski was a boiler operator in one of the ship’s two boiler rooms.

“It was about eight to 10 people in each boiler room and 12-hour days,” Goratowski said, adding if boiler pressure got too high, the ship would explode.

“It’s hot down there,” Goratowski said, adding temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, was surrounded by asbestos and was 5 miles from the gun line. “It was so bad I got heat rashes.”

But after Saturday’s welcome home party, Goratowski said, “I’d do it again.”

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Approaching a milestone

Saturday’s flight was the first of 2018 for the Stars and Stripes program and 44th overall. It kicked off what Board President and Allenton resident Paula Nelson said hopes to be a record-breaking year in what is a milestone year for the nonprofit organization.

The organization’s first flight was in November

2008, marking 2018 as the 10th anniversary season for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

The program is part of the National Honor Flight Network, which started in December 2004 in Ohio. There are 132 national hubs in 46 states. In Wisconsin, there are six hubs — Badger Honor Flight (Madison), Freedom Honor Flight (La Crosse), Old Glory Honor Flight (Green Bay), Honor Flight Northland (Superior) and Never Forgotten Honor Flight (Wausau).

There were 70 veterans on Stars and Stripes’ first honor flight. On Saturday, there were 153. Since the maiden flight, Stars and Stripes has flown more than 5,500 veterans to the nation’s capital. Nationally, more than 200,000 veterans have taken an honor flight.

Nelson and her fellow board members also hope to squeeze in the organization’s 50th flight this season. If not this year, it’ll be in 2019.

County veterans take part in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: April 17, 2018

County veterans take part in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

WASHINGTON — Standing near the Vietnam War Memorial on a cloudless 80-degree day in the nation’s capital, Joshua Maas got a greater admiration for his grandfather, Vietnam War Army veteran John Pedersen of West Bend.

Pedersen found the name of a man he went to high school with engraved on the wall. When asked what it was like to see the name, Pedersen said, “I prefer not to see it on there at all.”

Having Maas there, though, made it easier for Pedersen to get through the sad emotions of seeing someone he knew immortalized in stone, along with more than 58,000 other names.

“It was moving to me,” Pedersen said. “I hope Josh was able to comprehend what the Vietnam guys were going through. It’s been made faded with time, but when you get something up-close and personal like that, it reawakens memories.”

Then, a story was shared by Pedersen to Maas about his time in Vietnam.

Pedersen was attacked by an enemy holding a gun and pulled the trigger. But the gun misfired, which allowed Pedersen to defend himself, get off four shots with his own gun and killed the attacker.

“It kind of made me realize ... he said that he kind of had survivor’s remorse about that,” Maas said. “I wasn’t thinking about that. I thought, ‘I’m here because that didn’t happen.’” Here’s what happened.

“We were going through a part of Saigon, we were going house to house and he jumped out of a doorway and pulled a gun on me,” Pedersen said. “It was a World War II or earlier mauser, a German mauser, but it was pitted and ugly, but the insides were clean. He forgot to clean out the bolt, the different mechanisms, so the hammer hit, but didn’t hit hard enough.

“His misfired and mine didn’t.”

Maas, who graduated from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in 2016, was Pedersen’s guardian for Saturday’s Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Pedersen was one of 10 veterans from Washington County who participated in the day’s activities. Joining Pedersen were Wayne Fischer (Vietnam War, Army, Colgate), Greg Eggum (Vietnam, Army, Germantown), Brad Wing (Vietnam, Navy, Hartford), Dave Lowe (World War II, Army Air Corps, Hartford), Thomas Kohn (Vietnam, Marines, Kewaskum), Jerry Goratowski (Vietnam, Navy, West Bend), James Meinberg (Vietnam, Air Force, West Bend), James Pogantsch (Vietnam, Army, West Bend) and Billy Crowley III (Vietnam, Army, West Bend).

“It’s awesome,” Meinberg said. “I’ve been here before, but I would see this over and over again. It’s the history of our country. It means a lot.”

For Crowley, the trip was more favorable than his first visit in 2015 with a friend.

“It was raining,” Crowley said with a smile. “The weather was a lot more pleasant this time.”

When he and his friend toured the Vietnam memorial three years ago, Crowley said it was eerie.

“I didn’t have a name to look for, but my buddy did,” Crowley said.

When they found it, Crowley said, “He was emotional.” He got chills seeing it himself.

On Saturday, it was much different. He said he got to enjoy the trip and get some closure, too.

The first time Eggum visited the Vietnam War Memorial, it was in the early 1990s, it was 2 a.m. and he was alone. He had some reflection there — alone for nearly three hours — and got his closure at that moment.

On Saturday, at the Vietnam memorial with his daughter, Hartford’s Jennifer Gilmore, Eggum remembered the smells that greeted him in Vietnam.

“It was so unbearably hot and the smells of rotting ... whatever, I don’t know what it was, I’ll never forget it,” Eggum said. “I walk down this ramp and my uniform was drenched in sweat in right away.”

The collection of veterans and their guardians landed at Dulles International Airport shortly before 10 a.m. eastern time and boarded five coach buses — red, white, blue, green and gold. From there, buses went separate ways to avoid congestion at the different memorials on the itinerary — the Korean

War, the Vietnam War and World War II memorials. Stops also included the Arlington National Cemetery and the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.

Pedersen and Maas were on the red bus, which stopped at the Korean and Vietnam memorials first. Both memorials are next to the reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The stroll through the Korean memorial was short. When they got to the Vietnam memorial, Pedersen had to pause.

“This will be tough,” Pedersen said, adding, “That wall makes it very personal. Behind each name is a family, a life lost.”

Before arriving at the war memorials, Paula Nelson, the Stars and Stripes’ Board of Directors president, read information about the wall and the names on it. Some of the data she shared included 997 people were killed on their first day in Vietnam and more than 1,000 died on their last day. And, about 50 percent of the people on the wall were 22 and younger, including as young as 19 — right about Maas’ age.

“It helps you put it in perspective,” Maas said.

Wauwatosa’s Jerome Neary, who lived in Allenton from 19962017 and served in Vietnam with the Army, found a classmate on the wall as well — Private 1st Class David Siemanowski of Milwaukee, Panel 6E, Line 52.

“I looked him up and said a prayer,” Neary said.

Pedersen wished the tour could’ve seen the White House. But, that was OK.

“The day as a whole was very successful,” Pedersen said. “For me ... I’m very proud to be an American.”

It was successful because Pedersen shared the day with his grandson. Maas wasn’t originally supposed to go, but his mother had eye surgery and wasn’t cleared to go, so he filled in for her and did so admirably.

The day in the nation’s capital ended at about 6 p.m. eastern time where another procession line awaited veterans at the airport to send them home to Milwaukee.

“I just wish we had time to do more sight-seeing, but what we did was special,” Pedersen said.

Local reaction mixed to Ryan not seeking re-election

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: April 12, 2018

Local reaction mixed to Ryan not seeking re-election

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Reaction was mixed after Wednesday morning’s announcement that Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election in November, ending a 20-year political career in Washington.

But, there was a common thread between Republicans and Democrats after the announcement: intrigue.

“It’ll be interesting,” said Dennis Degenhardt, vicechairman of the Democratic Party of Washington County. “It’s a big day in Wisconsin politics. We never had a Speaker of the House before. The next few weeks or few months will be interesting and what it’ll mean for the state and the political picture.”

Jim Geldreich, chairman of the Washington County Republican Party since 2005, said, “(It) depends on who runs for his congressional seat.”

Geldreich said he was surprised at the news. “I watched the press conference,” he said. “It sounds like, being a congressman and Speaker of the House, it’s such a major commitment; he needs more time with his family.

“He’s been a great leader, a bright young conservative mind. He really did a great job with the budgets over the years. It’s a big loss for Wisconsin and the country.”

Ryan’s seat for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District was up for re-election in November. Earlier this year, Ryan, 48, denied rumors about resigning.

After the spring election last week, Gov. Scott Walker tweeted about a “blue wave” after Rebecca Dallet won the election for a State Supreme Court

seat over Michael Screnock.

Degenhardt, who as a Democrat won the traditionally conservative city of West Bend during the special election for the 58th Assembly District in January, believes that may have played a role in Ryan’s decision.

“I don’t know if he thought he couldn’t win or the battle it would take (to win) would be very, very tough,” Degenhardt said. “I’m not sure. ... As a Democrat, I hope we can balance some things out.”

Shortly after Ryan’s announcement, support poured in for the Janesville native.

“Wisconsin has a long history of producing great leaders, and Paul Ryan is one of its greatest,” said State Sen. Alberta Darling, who represents Wisconsin’s 8th District, which includes Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties, in a statement. “Paul always answered the call when his leadership was needed, yet never lost track of his roots. He worked tirelessly to represent his district and Wisconsin. Despite all of his accomplishments in Washington, there is no more important task than to be a husband and a father. I know he looks forward to spending more time with his family and wish him well in retirement.”

On the other side, IBEW Local 494 Business Manager Dean A. Warsh issued a statement, “This is increasingly one of the most important races in the nation. Speaker Ryan realizes working families are sick and tired of his leadership, because he has consistently attacked the working class and used his powerful position to advocate for big-money donors, not his middle-class constituents.”

Ryan was elected the 54th Speaker of the House

in 2015, replacing John Boehner, who retired.

“He was a huge improvement over John Boehner,” Geldreich said. “He’s still someone relatively young and to be that powerful for him to leave is difficult to replace.”

Geldreich met Ryan and each time they met after that, Geldreich thought it was neat that Ryan remembered his name and represented the Republican Party in Washington County.

“His personality is very energetic,” Geldreich said. “The events that I’ve been at and he’s there, he enters the room and it lights up with his presence.”

Degenhardt did commend Ryan for making a difficult decision.

“I really appreciate that family was that important to make that kind of decision,” he said.

 

April showers in Wisconsin

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: April 5, 2018

April showers in Wisconsin

Surprise snowstorm hits Washington County

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Simply put, this is Wisconsin.

That’s what West Bend’s Carol Mog said Wednesday while clearing her driveway from a snowstorm that dropped a few inches on Washington County.

While the calendar may say April, clearing snow at this time of the year is not out of the ordinary.

“I’ve plowed in May,” Jeff Watzlawick said during a quick break of plowing snow in downtown West Bend on Wednesday.

Watzlawick worked for 36 years with the city, clearing snow. He retired five years ago, but still helps the city clear snow, part time.

“I like it,” he said.

Watzlawick recalled a time in the 1990s where he had to plow about 10-11 inches of snow in the middle of May.

This is Wisconsin and never mind that the Milwaukee Brewers’ home opener was Monday.

Mog said she didn’t put away her snow removal gear yet and was glad she did.

“You never know,” Mog said, who, along with her husband Gus shoveled their sidewalk and driveway and their neighbor’s.

According to the National Weather Service’s Milwaukee/Sullivan office, Jackson and Newburg were reported as receiving the most snow at 5.4 inches. West Bend got 4 inches, Kewaskum got 3.8, Germantown got 3.6, Hartford 3 and Richfield and Slinger got 2.5.

On its website, the National Weather Service said, “Although March is finishing up with near seasonal temperatures for the month, the first half of April is looking cold with below-normal temperatures. A persistent area of cold air will remain over central and southern Canada the next several weeks. The steering level winds will occasionally turn to the north across the Great Lakes and upper Midwest, which will usher the cold air farther south in our region.

“Despite the calendar page turning to April, it will be a good idea to hold off on purchasing any spring plantings,” the website said.

Crash data released by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday showed there were nine property damage- only accidents, one hit and run, 10 vehicles in the ditch and one minor injury crash. The data was from 3 p.m. Tuesday until about noon Wednesday.

A 26-year-old Milwaukee man died in a single-vehicle crash shortly after noon Tuesday on Highway 33 near Aerial Drive in the town of Trenton. Capt. Martin Schulteis from the Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday the crash, the second traffic fatality in Washington County in 2018, is still under investigation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters director heads to Schauer Center

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: March 30, 2018

Big Brothers Big Sisters director heads to Schauer Center

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Mary Gamerdinger is leaving as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County to become executive director of the Schauer Arts and Activities Center in Hartford.

The change is effective June 1. She said she’ll take over at Schauer Center on June 18.

“I’m very excited,” Gamerdinger said Thursday. “It’s with mixed emotions.”

Gamerdinger has been with BBBS since 2002 — all as the organization’s executive director. In the two years before joining BBBS, Gamerdinger was with the Downtown West Bend Association, overseeing special events such as the Farmer’s Market.

“For the past 15 years, Mary has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization,” said David Kohlmann, chairman of the Board for BBBS, in a statement. “While we will miss her and her inspiring leadership, we wish her every success in her new endeavor. We want to express our sincere thanks to her for her years of dedicated service which involved so many significant accomplishments that have impacted the lives of children and teens in our community.”

As executive director, Gamerdinger will be responsible for the overall operations and management of the Schauer Center. She’ll replace Joe Konrad, who plans to retire, but will stay on as special advisor to the executive director, a newly created part-time position.

Konrad previously served as the Executive Director of Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity in Battle Creek, Michigan, and just before joining the Schauer Center he was the director of administration at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown.

Konrad was named the Schauer Center’s executive director in July 2015. He replaced Brenda Lee Johnston who was the Schauer Center’s executive director from October 2012-July 2015.

In a statement, Schauer Board of Trustees President Gretchen Vickney thanked Konrad for his service and contributions, “but also for his willingness and desire to continue to serve the community in his new role.”

Gamerdinger said she wasn’t actively looking to move on from BBBS, but the itch to take on the next challenge was growing.

“I love and am passionate about the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, but I have been here for 15 years and I felt an itch to move onto my next challenge,” she said. “Talking to the people at the Schauer Center, it seemed like a perfect fit. I support arts education; it seemed like the right opportunity.”

Gamerdinger has a heart for nonprofit organizations. But, she has a softer and more personal spot for the arts and arts education.

“Growing up, I was the band, theater and forensics geek and not sports,” she said with a laugh. “It’s something I’ve really enjoyed. I think it’s valuable to a child’s life.”

Expanding arts education programs at the Schauer Center, which include art, music and theater, will be a goal for Gamerdinger once at her new job.

“I think we want a wider audience and scope to help realize what a gem it is right there,” Gamerdinger said of the Schauer Center. “To understand art education and it’s not just performance theater, especially as we hear those things being cut in schools.”

Expanding programs and awareness is one reason she landed the job.

In 15 years at BBBS, she was proudest of the organization’s success stories, which grew year after year under her leadership.

“Watching kids grow in self-confidence, be successful in school, it’s immensely rewarding,” Gamerdinger said. “I’m very proud of increasing the numbers of people we’ve brought in to match with children.”

The last several years have upped the need for mentors as more and more children are coming to BBBS from single-parent homes.

“I call it the ‘M and M,’ money and mentors,” Gamerdinger said. “It’s a constant challenge to have enough of both of those. We’ve expanded our financial support base and we’re very stable that way. We’ve promoted the program and educated the public about the program and how rewarding it is. We’ve been able to bring in more mentors.”

Gamerdinger likes the position BBBS is in, which also helped her make the decision that a new challenge was needed.

Similar growth has happened at the Schauer Center and she is excited to continue that momentum.

“Joe has done great things with the Schauer Center,” Gamerdinger said. “He’s leaving a very strong and stable program for me. He’s definitely someone I’m going to learn from.”

BBBS’ annual golf outing is June 8 and Gamerdinger said she plans to assist with the event.