BRODHEAD - Dale Roenneburg is a hero.
The 87-year-old United States Army veteran has been decorated for his bravery and for his 22 years in the military. He's a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. His commendations and medals cover the wall in his basement near his office. He wears his Combat Infantryman Badge and ribbons with pride, he said.
Even though he's proud of his service, he didn't talk about his experiences in WW II. His wife of 65 years, Louise, said he didn't tell her about what he went through during the war.
"It's still difficult to talk about," he said.
He might not consider himself a hero - most veterans don't - but others do.
On April 17, he will part of a group of 96 Wisconsin veterans who will visit Washington D.C. as part of the Badger Honor Flight. The Badger Honor Flight is a chance for WW II veterans and terminally ill veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington.
It will be a busy day. They leave Madison at 6:30 a.m. and return at 9:30 p.m.
In between, they'll visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the WW II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.
"We owe so much to these veterans whose sacrifices cannot be captured in a few words who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their county, who carry scars that remain for the rest of their lives," the Badger Honor Flight Web site, badgerhonorflight.org, says.
It's an honor Roenneburg wasn't sure he wanted to receive. He thought about declining the invitation, but after he talked to fellow veterans in Brodhead, he decided to go.
"They said I should go," he said. "I'm the only one from the area who will be going."
Roenneburg isn't sure how he received the invitation to be part of the inaugural flight. Fellow veterans from the area might have nominated him, he speculated.
If his friends wanted someone who symbolized what it means to be a soldier, they made a wise selection.
Roenneburg, who grew up in Twin Grove, enlisted as a private in the Army in February 1943. He fought and was wounded in the leg and arm while fighting the Japanese in battles in the Pacific.
Despite his wounds, he was never awarded the Purple Heart because his injuries were never recorded. The shrapnel in his leg was later removed; the piece of shrapnel remains in his arm.
Years later, when people suggested he apply for the Purple Heart, which was given to wounded soldiers, he discovered he couldn't get the medal without finding witnesses to his injuries.
It is almost impossible to find the name of a doctor or corpsman who helped him after all these years, he said.
He served in the Army until 1965, retiring as a Major. He served at military bases around the world. While serving in the Army, he took part in the funeral for the last Civil War veteran in 1957.
Roenneburg and his wife moved to Brodhead when he retired from the service.
He's slowed down some, but he's still involved with veterans' groups in Brodhead. He has written about his experiences in World War II for his family and has had his worked published in military magazines.
The honor to be on the Badger Honor Flight's inaugural trip to Washington might be his, but he will never forget his fellow soldiers, who fought and died for their country.
"They're the heroes," he said.
The 87-year-old United States Army veteran has been decorated for his bravery and for his 22 years in the military. He's a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. His commendations and medals cover the wall in his basement near his office. He wears his Combat Infantryman Badge and ribbons with pride, he said.
Even though he's proud of his service, he didn't talk about his experiences in WW II. His wife of 65 years, Louise, said he didn't tell her about what he went through during the war.
"It's still difficult to talk about," he said.
He might not consider himself a hero - most veterans don't - but others do.
On April 17, he will part of a group of 96 Wisconsin veterans who will visit Washington D.C. as part of the Badger Honor Flight. The Badger Honor Flight is a chance for WW II veterans and terminally ill veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington.
It will be a busy day. They leave Madison at 6:30 a.m. and return at 9:30 p.m.
In between, they'll visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the WW II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.
"We owe so much to these veterans whose sacrifices cannot be captured in a few words who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their county, who carry scars that remain for the rest of their lives," the Badger Honor Flight Web site, badgerhonorflight.org, says.
It's an honor Roenneburg wasn't sure he wanted to receive. He thought about declining the invitation, but after he talked to fellow veterans in Brodhead, he decided to go.
"They said I should go," he said. "I'm the only one from the area who will be going."
Roenneburg isn't sure how he received the invitation to be part of the inaugural flight. Fellow veterans from the area might have nominated him, he speculated.
If his friends wanted someone who symbolized what it means to be a soldier, they made a wise selection.
Roenneburg, who grew up in Twin Grove, enlisted as a private in the Army in February 1943. He fought and was wounded in the leg and arm while fighting the Japanese in battles in the Pacific.
Despite his wounds, he was never awarded the Purple Heart because his injuries were never recorded. The shrapnel in his leg was later removed; the piece of shrapnel remains in his arm.
Years later, when people suggested he apply for the Purple Heart, which was given to wounded soldiers, he discovered he couldn't get the medal without finding witnesses to his injuries.
It is almost impossible to find the name of a doctor or corpsman who helped him after all these years, he said.
He served in the Army until 1965, retiring as a Major. He served at military bases around the world. While serving in the Army, he took part in the funeral for the last Civil War veteran in 1957.
Roenneburg and his wife moved to Brodhead when he retired from the service.
He's slowed down some, but he's still involved with veterans' groups in Brodhead. He has written about his experiences in World War II for his family and has had his worked published in military magazines.
The honor to be on the Badger Honor Flight's inaugural trip to Washington might be his, but he will never forget his fellow soldiers, who fought and died for their country.
"They're the heroes," he said.