WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU-WAOW) — Poor weather did not stop the annual Wausau Memorial Day Parade on Saturday.
Hundreds in the community gathered to pay tribute to the men and women who made their sacrifice while serving in the United States armed forces and show their appreciation for the ones who have made it home. Heather Street is a supporter who spoke with WAOW Newsline 9.
“It should be more than just one day, it should be all year round, but it’s one thing that we can do one day out of the year to show our appreciation,” said Street.
U.S. Representative Sean Duffy made an appearance at the parade and addressed the crowd along with Wausau Mayor Robert Mielke. Duffy also spoke with WAOW about the reform that he believes veterans need in government programs in the wake of the Tomah VA scandal.
Duffy said, “We have men and women who serve their country, who have come home, and some of them have actually died in the VA. This has to be addressed and this is an executive branch agency. We have to actually get to the fundamentals of care.”
A report on the Tomah VA investigation is expected later this week.
Area veterans who participated in the parade haven’t forgotten their fallen comrades. Marine Corps veteran Paul Missett spoke with WAOW about his service and those that never made it home.
Missett said, “I’m very proud of the fact that I was able to serve and that the people that have gone before me that have made the ultimate sacrifice, that they’ve served their country and allowed us to have the freedoms that we have in our country.”
Reporting by Alexandra Burnley, WAOW.
