Madison celebrates veterans at the Capitol
Speeches and songs filled the Capitol rotunda Monday morning honoring the country’s military men and women.
In the audience were veterans like Connie Allord, one of the first women to serve in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. She and her husband enlisted at the same time. She said her husband said he planned to enlist, so she wanted to as well.
“I didn’t know what the outcome would be, but he thought a minute and said ‘Let’s both go to Milwaukee and enlist together,’ which we did,” said Allord.
They would spend 16 months apart while she worked as an air traffic controller and he served in the United States Navy, but she said she would do it all over again.
United States Air Force veteran Julius Morgan was also in the crowd. He was 19 years old when he enlisted. Morgan served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, sacrificing time with his wife and four daughters.
However, on a day meant to pay tribute to veterans, it was the veterans who said they were honored to have served. Many said they were just happy to be part of Monday’s ceremony.
“I was crying. I had tears. To me I felt it was an honor to be able to serve and it was also my duty to serve,” said Morgan.
Bob Lizon served shortly after the attack in Pearl Harbor. He said he has frightening memories of his time on an ammunition ship during submarine warfare.
“Being on a tanker loaded with 5.5 million gallons of high octane, it pretty much was a firecracker when it hits. I was fortunate our ship did not have any problem with submarine attacks,” said Lizon.
For many like Marine Sgt. Sky Busk, the hope is that their service will live on.
“We need to honor, respect and remember all veterans, dead or alive,” said Busk.
