Ten Years of Service and Support
2014-2024
Veterans Voices Military Group, Inc., was founded in 2014, as an organization within Faith United Methodist Church. During those ten years we have striven to bring veterans together, to support our brothers and sisters in need, and to keep the service of veterans in the public’s awareness. In 2022 Veterans Voices Military Group, Inc., became a 501c3 (not for profit) organization.
We returned to our roots on Memorial Day weekend to observe our ten year anniversary. We did this primarily by dedicating a new section of the Walk of Honor, the Memorial Walk, where we honor the twelve veterans who were with us in Veterans Voices but have passed on since our founding. Veterans Voices Military Group presented the Colors at all three church services that weekend. Our President, Gary Lang, spoke to the congregation about our organization. A video presentation was shown honoring the twelve inductees. Allen DeNormandie played taps.
(*Video Copyright information at bottom of page.)
At 10 a.m., Sunday, May 26, we dedicated the Memorial Walk. Due to inclement weather the dedication was held in the Faith United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Colors were presented and Allen DeNormandie played taps. Dale Carver welcomed the attendees and spoke about service and remembrance, and read the names, branch of service, and years of service of the inductees. (An engraved paver honoring each of those veterans was placed into the Memorial Walk before the ceremony.) Allen DeNormandie spoke, highlighting the service of Darryl Wertheim and Bill Grizzle. Darryl was the first Director of the organization and Bill was a member of the Board of Directors since its inception. Allen also thanked our sponsors: the Faith United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, Peoples Bank, and Marquette Bank, without whose support the event would not have been possible.
All attending were invited to stay for a slice of anniversary cake and other light refreshments.
The twelve veterans honored at this ceremony and remembered on the Memorial Walk are:
RALPH BECHTOLD US NAVY 1950-76
CHUCK DOHERTY US AIR FORCE 1950-53
GLENN DRECHSEL US NAVY 1943-44
BILL GRIZZLE US AIR FORCE 1966-70
MAURY JUNOD US NAVY 1945-46
WARREN KOERNER US ARMY 1956-58
CHARLES KREUZ US ARMY 1960-65
RALPH POLACHEK US NAVY 1945-46
WALDO POOL US ARMY 1952-53
JERRY STYRSKY US ARMY 1964-92
JIM THOMPSON US ARMY 1967-70
DARRYL WERTHEIM US ARMY 1967-70
The family of each of these veterans was presented a plaque and a miniature replica of their veteran’s engraved paver on the Memorial Walk.
The Veterans Voices Military Group Color Guard prepares to post the Colors.
(L-R: Ed Schuck, Tom Duracka, Dan Tomasik, Gary Lang)
Veterans Voices Military Group Chaplain, Dale Carver, addresses the attendees.
After the ceremony everyone was invited to enjoy a slice of our anniversary cake..
Special thanks to photographer Ed Kawczynski and videographer Beth Kawczyński for their excellent work and for always being there for us. (Click on any of the images on this page to enlarge that image.)
In memory of Darryl Wertheim.
In memory of Bill Grizzle.
In memory of Warren Koerner.
In memory of Maury Junod.
In memory of Chuck Kreuz.
In memory of Jerry Styrsky.
We also extend our gratitude to Sally Puzon, Faith United Methodist Church secretary, for producing the program and bulletin inserts for our events of the weekend. (Below)