Vietnam veterans experiences are the topic of the “Third Saturday” in March
Vietnam and the Sheboygan County Veterans Experience,
is the focus of the March 20 “Third Saturday” program at the Sheboygan County Historical Museum at 3110 Erie Ave. in Sheboygan.
The Vietnam War touched everyone in America and shaped the lives of a whole generation. The experiences of those who served in the military were unique to the geography of Vietnam and the duties assigned to them.
Many Sheboygan County Vietnam Veterans will be on hand with displays and private collections and will share stories of their military experiences.
Veterans Dan Austreng and Dave Gehr will have an extensive display that will include equipment, scrapbooks, photos and other resource materials. Each has been interviewed by Wisconsin Public
Television and will be included in a film titled Vietnam War Stories
to be aired this spring.
Other veterans hosting displays include Jerry Konz, president of Sheboygan County Chapter 618 of Vietnam Veterans of America; Jim Genz; Jim Riesenberg, former veterans service officer for Sheboygan County; Bob Fenske, Eldon Burg and others. Veteran Pastor Joe Cottam will have a PowerPoint presentation and discussion. Lao and Hmong veterans will be on hand to share their experiences and explain the importance of the Lao, Hmong and American Veterans Memorial located in Deland Park in Sheboygan that was dedicated in 2006.
Collections, displays, demonstration, videos, hands-on activities for people of all ages and great big pictures will all be part of the day. Local history handouts will include “time line,” “learn the lingo,” “a day in the life of,” “best resources” and much more.
This “Third Saturday” event is a part of a statewide initiative this spring to recognize and welcome home veterans of the Vietnam War. It is a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Public Television and the Wisconsin Historical Society along with an extensive group of veteran’s organizations statewide and many local historical societies across the state. The Web site with complete information is LZlambeau.org. The Sheboygan County Historical Society will be creating and hosting an exhibit at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on May 21-23 with information and materials generated by this “Third Saturday” event.
“Third Saturdays” start at 10 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. Guests are welcome any time throughout the day. Lunch is available. Children ages 6 and under are free. Members and their guests are free.
The event is sponsored in part by H. C. Denison, Kohler Foundation Inc, Sargento Foods Inc, Windsor Family Foundation, Sheboygan Press, Alliant Energy Foundation, Great Lakes Blue Printers and 1420 AM The Breeze.
