MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) — Marshfield Clinic Health System is hosting a series of events Thursday to honor Marshfield native Melvin R. Laird, former Seventh District Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Defense, on the anniversary of his death last year at the age of 94.
Medical Library Manager Brian Finnegan says Laird was a long-time supporter of Marshfield Clinic, and the day-long event will include a series of speakers and a chance to see Melvin Laird’s office and collection of historic memorabilia.
“We’re calling it ‘Melvin R. Laird, a Tribute’ and it’s a celebration of Melvin Laird’s service to the Marshfield Community and to the country as a whole,” Finnegan said. “We’re going to have an open house of the Melvin Laird office and conference room, and among other events, we’re going to have a program that starts at 3:30 that will honor Mr. Laird’s life and times.”
There’ll also be presentations to honor Laird’s life-long support of medical research. “Medical research was an important issue that Mr. Laird was involved in, and he helped the Marshfield Clinic get it’s first National Institute of Health grant.”
Finnegan says item’s on public view Thursday include Laird’s collection of presidential memorabilia, Laird’s Purple Heart, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and even an original J.F.K. rocking chair. “One of the important items we have is the Kennedy rocker that was built for President John F. Kennedy,” and according to Finnegan, “Mr. Laird was given that because he was co-chairman of the Healthcare Appropriations Committee at the time.”
On Thursday, there’s even a one-time opportunity to tour the long-time Laird family home on Cherry Avenue in Marshfield.
The following schedule of events are free and open to the public:
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Melvin Laird’s Impact on Science, Health and Marshfield, Froehlke Auditorium. Keynote speaker is Frederick “Fritz” Wenzel, retired Marshfield Clinic Research Institute (MCRI) director; and a scientist panel will present. Emcee is Amit Acharya, Ph.D., MCRI director.
1:30-3:30 p.m. – Open house, Froehlke Auditorium, George E. Magnin Medical Library and Erdman Lobby, all located in the Laird Center for Medical Research, on MCHS’ Marshfield campus. Tours offered of Laird’s offices, photos and memorabilia; videos in the Auditorium featuring 1968’s “The Man From Marshfield” as well as a video interview with Laird about the historic Laird home on Cherry Avenue; and light refreshments.
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Remembering Melvin Laird program, Froehlke Auditorium. Presentation includes video greetings, letters and speakers including David Laird, Laird’s son. Wenzel will serve as emcee.
4:30-6:30 p.m. – Historic Laird family home open house, 208 S. Cherry Ave., Marshfield, hosted by the Laird Foundation for Historic Preservation.
7-9 p.m. – Concert at the University of Wisconsin Marshfield/Wood County Helen Connor Laird Fine Arts Building featuring the Pro Arte Quartet, the faculty string quartet at UW-Madison. The quartet performs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia; has performed at the White House; and is the resident ensemble of the Chazen Museum of Art, for whom they perform a series of live radio broadcasts each season. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public with general admission seating.
