Dedication ceremony held in Mercer

MERCER, Wis. — Representatives of the Mercer Veterans Memorial on Friday dedicated a POW/MIA memorial and the Ladies Auxiliary Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park.

Rhiannon Stryjewski, 15, of Mercer, sang the Star Spangled Banner in front of about 20 people.

The crowd then made its way to the Ladies Auxiliary Memorial. Dressed in her uniform, Betty Snyder said the memorial is intended to honor the ladies who have supported veterans.

The memorial was proudly donated by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 424 of Mercer and Manitowish Waters.

In front of the POW/MIA memorial, Major Fred Matusewic, of Hurley, said, “We stand here today to do our small part in honoring our fallen heroes. America has long stood tall as a beacon of freedom, thanks to the women and men of our armed forces who safeguard the United Sates,” he said.

Since the Spanish American War, Matusewic said the United Sates has made a commitment to bring all its service members home, no matter how long it takes.

There are more than 83,000 Americans who remain missing, Matusewic said. They fought in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War and the Gulf Wars.

So far this year, he said the remains of 60 service members have been identified and returned to their families for burial.

Matusewic served in the Army for 25 years until he retired, then he spent nine years as a Department of Defense contractor advising troops during Operation Ending Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and numerous other citations.