Just before Wednesday’s drizzle turned into a heavier rain, veteran James Hangey of Jonas visited the Polk Township Veterans Memorial in Kresgeville.

Hangey, who served in the Navy during Vietnam, walked through the memorial with his daughter, Lisa Gibson, and wife, Rosemarie Hangey.

“It is nice for these veterans to be remembered in our local area,” said Gibson.

Hangey’s family was among the visitors to the memorial throughout the afternoon. There was no official ceremony, just a chance to walk around and have some refreshments.

“This is our first time doing something for Veterans Day,” said Joan McKinsey, member of the four-person Polk Township Memorial Commission.

During the afternoon, veterans could hand in or pick up Veterans Memorial forms.

“We want this memorial to be inclusive,” she said.

The goal is to reach out to the veterans who live in Polk Township so if their name is not already on the memorial plaques, it can be added before the rededication in May 2021.

People who are currently serving in the military can have their names on the memorial, she said. It is not just for retired military or those who died in the line of duty.

On the wall of the memorial is a plaque that reads “This land donated by Blanche and Richard Strausberger in loving memory of their son David “Whitey” Bartholomew July 28, 1996.”

A large American flag hangs above the memorial. Smaller ones line the walkway.

The portion of the memorial that contains the Roll of Honor plaque was originally located at the Polk Elementary School. It was relocated to the entrance of the bigger memorial’s walkway.

The 25th anniversary of the memorial’s dedication will occur in 2021. The 25th anniversary of hosting Memorial Day events here will occur on Memorial Day 2022, she said.

A mock-up of the memorial will be available in May 2021.

“We’ll also be doing banners for soldiers who are still alive,” she said.

Tree lighting

The commission will host its annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.

Due to the pandemic, everything will occur outside on Trach Road. The road will be blocked off to traffic.

“Santa will arrive on a Polk firetruck and hand out gifts. There will be crafts and snacks outside,” McKinsey said.

They usually go inside Salem-St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church across from the memorial for visits with Santa, refreshments and crafts.

Veterans can turn in their forms at this event or drop them off at the Polk Township office during business hours.