Alumni veterans of the Vietnam War, along with family members and friends, filled the NDA Chapel for Sunday’s Mass and dedication of a new Wall of Honor Memorial. 

In his Ascension Day homily, Father Dane Radecki, school president, thanked the veterans for their service and lauded them for “following in the footprints of service,” a reference to the footprints of Christ.

After the emotional service, veterans viewed the Wall of Honor for the first time and then gathered in the Commons for brunch and comments from some of the veterans.

Many of the alumni veterans traveled great distances for the dedication.  All were graduates of St. Joseph Academy, Abbot Pennings, St. Norbert High School, Premontre or Central Catholic High School.

Traveling from Orange County, California, was the man who initiated the whole idea for the memorial.

“I’m not a veteran,” said Mr. Pat Rank, Pennings ’63, “but I’m a fan of veterans.  This is not something they’d do for themselves.  I thought it was time to give them credit for what they did, to recognize and thank the men and women who stepped forward in difficult times.”

Mr. Rank and Father Dane worked long-distance on the project.  Assisting was Mrs. Kathy Kanikula, communication coordinator here at NDA.  The local Nobel-Straubel Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2037 funded the memorial.

Veterans like former Marine Hubert Joski, Green Bay, called the event “fantastic” and expressed appreciation to all who had a part in the day’s events.

“It meant a lot to me.  To have the school remember this is surprising, and to see my name on the Wall touched me,” said Mr. Joski, a Premontre graduate.

Mr. Bob Baumgart, an Air Force veteran from Fremont, agreed.  Also a Premontre graduate, he said, “It’s kind of like a thank you no one ever said.”

Mrs. Mary Danen Powers, the lone Vietnam War veteran from St. Joseph Academy, spoke of her experiences as a nurse in 1968.  She called her Quonset hut hospital and living accommodation “a four-star hotel” in comparison to how others were living in the war zone.  

Mrs. Powers, now a Boston resident, was joined by an entourage of Green Bay-area family members.

“When I heard the POW, the pilot who was captured in Cambodia, tell his stories, it was like I was re-reading Tim O’Brien’s book about Vietnam, The Things They Carried,” said one NDA student.  Retired Colonel Quin Herlik was the speaker referred to by the student.

Along with students who led at Mass, served tables and helped facilitate the day, administrators and several staff members attended the dedication.  Campus Minister Laura Zelten organized the Mass.

Mr. Matt Schultz, history teacher, explained why he chose to attend the ceremonies. 

“These people weren’t remembered when they came home, and it’s nice to recognize them.  I also wanted to come here for my dad.  I wanted to go up to that Medal of Honor winner we heard a couple weeks ago and say thanks for getting my dad back,” he said.