Lake Country This Month

FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY • Page 5A NOVEMBER 2014 By Katherine Michalets Special to The Freeman DELAFIELD — A ceremony in the White House on Nov. 6 may have been to award Civil War First Lt. Alonzo Cushing the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Gettysburg, but it was 94- year-old Delafield resident Mar- garet Zerwekh who got a special shout out from President Barack Obama for her efforts. "This award would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of supporters who worked for decades to make this day a reality. And I want to especially acknowl- edge Margaret Zerwekh, who is a historian from Delafield, Wiscon- sin, where Lt. Cushing was born," Obama said during the ceremony, motioning to Zerwekh sitting in her wheelchair. She waved back to the president. "Margaret is also the grand- daughter of a Union veteran, and lives on a property that was once owned by Cushing's father," the president continued. "When she discovered this story, she spent over 25 years researching, writing letters, and raising her voice to ensure that this American soldier received the recognition that he so richly deserved. And what's more, she even managed to bring Repub- licans and Democrats together to make this happen. Margaret, we may call on you again sometime in the next several months." Zerwekh's efforts to get Cushing awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor for battlefield valor, span decades. She worked with other historians and Republican and Democratic con- gressmen from Wisconsin — including U.S. Reps Jim Sensen- brenner and Ron Kind, who attend- ed Thursday's ceremony — to make sure the local hero was rec- ognized for his actions on the piv- otal third day at Gettysburg, which Obama described in great detail based on first-person accounts. "(Alonzo) was hit and badly wounded. His first sergeant — a soldier by the name of Frederick Fuger — urged him to go to the rear. But (Alonzo) refused and said he'd 'fight it out, or die in the attempt.' Bleeding and weak, he moved his remaining guns closer to the front," Obama said. "Over 10,000 Confederate infantrymen advanced, elbow to elbow, in rows over a mile wide. He used his own thumb to stop his gun's vent, burning his fingers to the bone. When he was hit the final time, as a poet later wrote, 'His gun spoke out for him once more before he fell to the ground.' And Alonzo Cushing was just 22 years old." Zerwekh said it was exciting and thrilling to attend the ceremony in the White House's Roosevelt Room, which included a trip in a motor- cade with sirens. She also attended another ceremony recognizing Cushing at the Pentagon. While many people credit Zer- wekh with Cushing finally receiv- ing the medal, she said it was a group effort. Her daughter Sally Weber, who accompanied Zerwekh to Washing- ton, said her mother has been get- ting phone calls from people across the country wishing to thank her for her work. In Washington, mili- tary officials, as well as Cushing's descendants, also expressed their appreciation. Helen Loring Ensign, Cushing's cousin twice removed, accepted the Medal of Honor. She was joined by more than two dozen family members. "For this American family, this story isn't some piece of obscure history — it is an integral part of who they are. And today, our whole nation shares their pride, and cele- brates what this story says about who we are," Obama said. Weber said at a reception a West Point representative suggested that the Medal of Honor be shared between his school, which Cushing attended; Delafield; Fredonia, N.Y., where Cushing and his family later moved; and another museum. Civil War hero and Delafield native Cushing receives Medal of Honor Submitted photo Delafield resident Margaret Zerwekh poses with U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, left, and U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner fol- lowing the Medal of Honor ceremony for Alonzo Cushing on Nov 6. at the White House. First Lt. Alonzo Cushing Delafield historian, 94, who pushed for posthumous award attends White House ceremony Visit Our Website at: www.supportivehomeservices.com email: shls@supportivehomeservices.com 234258002 238 W. Broadway • Waukesha, WI 53186 262.544.0687 Visit Our Website at: www.supportivehomeservices.com email: shls@supportivehomeservices.com Affordable Non-Medical At Home Care Independence Pride Dignity Clubs & Hobby Participation Rep Payee Financial Management Medical Appointments Shopping & Errands Taking Walks Light Housekeeping/Laundry Transportation Meal Preparation Companionship Hands-On Personal Care Medication Assistance CONTACT US FOR ASSISTANCE. WE CAN HELP. WE HAVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR ALL INCOME LEVELS. HOME & COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES Serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Jefferson & Washington We assist your loved ones in keeping their independence, pride and dignity by assisting them in their own environment. We evaluate and offer services which are needed and/or wanted to help them continue living the full and productive lifestyle they are accustomed to. 240187002 Presented by our good friends at: Sunday, November 23 4:00 p.m. The 52 nd Annual Waukesha Christmas Parade is proud to once again host 241313002 Veterans From Page 1A The crowd sat silently, transfixed on 30 nine-year- olds projecting their melody to honor their country's heroes. Walking through history The ceremony that fol- lowed was a walk through the history books, from World War I to the present war on terror, showing how ordinary citizens had to step up and fight to defend free- dom. Three World War II, 13 Korean War, 35 Vietnam War, eight Desert Storm and six Global War on Terrorism veterans attended the cere- mony. At the end of each war's tribute, its veterans stood and were saluted by the guidon representing them. "I think it's important to remember all the contribu- tions of all of the people in our country that served our nation to give us the free- doms that we have," Junior Recruit Officer Training Corps Senior Army Instruc- tor Lt. Col. James Kebisek said. "Like people say, it's not free." Kebisek knows from his time in service that real peo- ple die serving their country. He has also experienced loss- es as an instructor at St. John's Northwestern. Collier Edwin Barcus from McHenry, Ill.; Robert Jason Gore from Nevada, Iowa; Michael Joseph Metcalf from Boynton Beach, Fla.; and William Robert Newgard from Arlington Heights, Ill. — all St. John's Northwest- ern graduates — have lost their lives fighting terror- ism. Kebisek said he sees many of his cadets join the mili- tary. In fact, he said they write to him and even visit him when they come home on leave. "One in particular came to see me just before Christ- mas, and he told me he had just come back and was going back again," Kebisek said. "He was an MP (mili- tary police), and my thoughts were, 'be safe.' About 10 days later, he was gone — shot down in a heli- copter. You never know when it's your time. "They served honorably, and reading their citations of what happened, they made us proud." For many Americans, mili- tary service is a family affair. New generations pick up the traits of the old through mere observation. It's conta- gious. Kebisek said he has a daughter in the Air Force Reserve and a son who became an Army Ranger. For others, like Cadet First Captain Paddy Zheng, it's more of an acquired taste. "When I first entered St. John's, I didn't really have an interest in the military," Zheng said. "But now that I've been here, gotten used to the camaraderie and being part of a team — relying on other people and them rely- ing on me — it's inspired me to try to get an appointment to the United States Military Academy." Zheng said he should hear back from his congressman in mid-December, and if accepted, from West Point early next year. Desert Storm Navy veteran Lt. Eric Kirkhofer attended the ceremony to see his son, Douglas, a cadet at St. John's Northwestern. "It's cool the school does this," he said. "Between this and the Memorial Day pro- gram, it really teaches young kids the importance of ser- vice."

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