The Reporter from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin • 11

www.fdlrcporter.com LIFE The Reporter, Sunday, May 30, 2010 PAGE D3 For some veterans, peace never conies 5ouYEmN OTJ i Both the company chaplain and the commanding officer sent home glowing reports of his service. But none of these letters ever relayed the full extent of what the servicemen endured, nor was there any mention made of the life-altering things they saw or the tasks they were required to do. Only recently has the full story of New Guinea been revealed. For a man born with a gentle soul, it was too much. When he returned from the war, it was said of him by those who knew him best (as it was said of so many others), "This is not the person we once knew." War changed him beyond all recognition.

For the remaining years of his earth walk, he was at the mercy of his own demons. He sought to drown his memories in alcohol until it completed his fall from Margaret Jarek At the age of 14, he began to toil in the iron ore mines of the Vermillion Range in Ely, Minnesota. What he earned went toward the upkeep of his mother and sisters. When 'he had saved enough money, he purchased a secondhand Model A Ford. But, too soon, the mines closed and the family came to Fond du Lac.

The Great Depression hit early in the north country, but like so many others, Martin James took whatever employment he could find and continued to help his struggling family. Working as a bellboy at our local hotel (now the WAUPUN DODGE COUNTY NEWS NOTES The passage of the years has brought with it a vast array of experiences and left in its wake far more questions than answers. Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor our fallen warriors. It's a time we have agreed to honor those who have answered their leaders' calls to walk into the hellfire of the battlefield in the name of God and country The price they have paid is often the "ultimate one." If not that, then it most assuredly is a soul so tattered it may take many decades, if not a lifetime, to mend. This is the story of one whose soul was so wounded that only death itself brought (or so we hope) some modicum of peace.

His name was Martin James Whitford and he was my uncle. For the first 38 years of his earthly journey, he was a man of peace. American Legion Members of the American Legion Post 210 Firing Squad took the initiative to honor soldiers who served in the Civil War by replacing the worn and battered flagpole in Forest Mound Cemetery. The improvement was made possible by the donation of the pole by Waupun Utilities, the handiwork of Leon Steen-bergen, who crafted the aluminum channel to brace the pole; the use of equipment and manpower of the workers at the cemetery and the use of Leon VandeSlunt's utility vehicle. The flag atop the pole will be illuminated at night with a solar-powered light.

The memorial is located at the west end of the cemetery on the highest elevation. RRI Relay for Life Students and staff at Rock River Intermediate School circled the track at Veterans Memorial Field on May 21 during their mini-Relay for Life event. Throughout the week, students donated money to participate in various activities in order to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. At the end of the week, students and staff had donated more than $2,025, which will be contributed to the Waupun Relay for Life on June 18-19. The class that raised the most money, $165.40, was Bob Sankey's third-graders.

They will enjoy a sundae party for their efforts. Individuals who raised the most money are: Erica Huenink, $102; Claire Harder, $62; Alyssa VanBuren, $55; and Meghan Flier and Hannah Harder, $50. Rummage sale Theresa will hold its an- grace. Jungle rot and malaria became a part of his daily life. Bitterness, cynicism and a loss of faith in God were ever-apparent.

And yet from time to time, the "original" person would reveal itself-like brief bursts of sunlight on a stormy day. It was said that the "Gold Star" mothers, whose sons gave the ultimate sacrifice, were luckier than those whose sons returned with wounded souls. There were no medals given for that kind of a sacrifice. So this Memorial Day, Martin's sons and his niece, will remember Martin James Whitford as we always do and pray that the honor roll of God will, at long last, encircle his name in a halo of peace. Margaret Jarek of Fond du Lac writes a weekly column for The Reporter.

out drywall, ceilings and flooring. The Kiwanis Club ol Waupun presented three scholarships to area students. Winning $500 scholarships are Lydia Guell and Jenell Larson of Waupun Area High School and Karlee Westra of Central Wisconsin Christian School. Chamber news Open Range Communications recently held its grand opening at the Pizza Ranch in Waupun. The company is bringing Internet, WiFi and digital phone service to the community through the latest technology its own 4G wireless network.

Lee Jonet, owner and operator of Waupun City Grille, announced the he was closing the doors on his business on May 30. The building that Jonet rents for his business is in foreclosure and buying the property is not financially feasible at this time. Lab re-accredited The Consultants Laboratory of Wisconsin, LLC site at Waupun Memorial Hospital has achieved a two-year accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. WMH is one of the more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government's own inspection program.

Colleen Kottke is The Reporter's Waupun bureau chief. E-mail tips and submissions to or fax her at (920) 324-2507. i IV SKIN. mm. I- Name: Jenny Knuth Hometown: Eden Employer: Brown-Boots Interactive Inc.

Family: Married to Paul Knuth. Daughter of Dean and Linda Kranig. Extracurricular activities: Marketing chair and board member of Young Professionals of Fond du Lac Favorite thing about your career: "Every day is something different. As a graphic designer, I enjoy the variety and the chance to think outside the box." What do you do for fun? Hobbies? Hiking, sightseeing, photography, art, reading, learning new things. Likes to travel to: "It's way too hard to narrow that list down.

Locally, Devils Lake, Wis. Afar, Germany." Advice for other young professionals: "Don't be afraid to get outside of your comfort zone. Try something different and challenge yourself. You'll be amazed by how you can learn and grow." Are you interested in meeting and networking with other young professionals? Check out the Young Profes sionals of Fond du Lac website, www.ypfdl.org. Easy organics: Starting a green garden BY KAREN WEIR-JIMERSON The Des Moines Register If you knew how little it cost to grow the expensive mixed greens you buy at the grocery store or order at your favorite restaurant, you'd be shocked.

You can grow meal after meal of succulent and spicy mixed greens for the cost of a seed packet a couple bucks. But there are other reasons beyond economy that make growing your own vegetables this summer a smart move. It's ecological. The ultimate green gesture, harvesting vegetables from your own garden, means there is no packaging to add to landfills or fossil fuel transport costs or pollution. If you're considering starting your own garden for the first time, here are some pointers to get you going.

Soil: Soil is one of the determining characteristics of a successful garden. In short, bad soil is a deal breaker. Soil should be nutrient-rich and easy to plant in. Hard clay or sandy soils can be im- proved by adding compost, rotted manure, shredded leaves and other organic material. Water: You need to water seeds and seedlings after they are planted so they can establish a healthy root system.

But you can overdo it. The soil should be moist, not soggy. Plants or seeds: Spring is the time to plant cool-weather vegetables, which can generally take colder temperatures. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, peas, carrots, radishes and kale can go into the ground right now. Plant a few favorites: If this is your first garden, think small and focus on your family's vegetables and herbs that way you'll be more likely to eat and enjoy them.

14 A souvenir photo card of Martin James Whitford. Ramada Plaza), his proudest moment came when he shook hands with Eleanor Roosevelt. And then came the fateful day when the draft notice arrived. He answered it, filled with dread, and after a brief but demanding training, he was sent to the island of New Guinea in the South Pacific. dens; and 11:45 a.m., Theresa Union Cemetery.

The visits will conclude with a ceremony at the Rock River bridge in Theresa. School children wishing to help honor 163 veterans should meet at 11 a.m. at the Legion Clubhouse, 101 Church Theresa. Craft Center news Quilters from the Waupun Craft Center presented lap quilts to New Beginnings of Fond du Lac, a non-profit facility designed to house pregnant women in crisis situations. The group also crafted several bunnies and teddy bears to be used by young patients admitted to the Emergency Room at Waupun Memorial Hospital.

The Craft Center's beginning sewing class made pillowcases to be handed out to patrons visiting the Waupun Area Food Pantry. In the summer, the group will meet at 9 a.m. Thursdays in the lower level of Emmanuel Reformed Church, 400 W. Brown in Waupun, to work on Hodge Podge an open time to socialize and finish assorted craft projects. Summer sessions are free.

The group will reconvene in September. For more information, contact Shirley at 324-4868 or Donna at (920) 689-2280. Fairest of the Fair Applicants are being sought by the Dodge County Fair Association for the 2010 Fairest of the Fair. The winner will serve as the ambassador promoting the Dodge County Fair and plan the Fairest of the Fair competition in 2011. Applicants must be available for the Press Banquet on Monday, July 12, and for the Dodge County Fair set for Aug.

18-22. For more information or to receive an application, contact Sally Schoenike, Dodge County 4-H youth development agent, at 386-3790. Applications can also be downloaded at www.uwex. educesctydodge4h. Applicants are due at the Dodge County UW-Exten-sion office by June 11.

Swimming special The Waupun Parks and Rec Association is offering a family pass special to be used at McCune Beach. Each family will receive a $15 discount on a family membership when a child is signed up for swimming lessons or the swim team. A regular-priced family pass is $70. The special discount will be offered from June 12 through 19. Kiwanis news Alto Reformed Church youth group members Chelsey Core and Nick Fen-rich and leader Bill Loomans shared with the Waupun Kiwanis group their experiences from their Chelsey Core Nick Fenrich mission trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In Iowa, they helped residents clean up homes still damaged from 2008 flooding. Youth crew and adult leaders helped repair five homes, tearing kjk in Colleen Kottke nual village-wide rummage sale at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 5. Brats, hamburgers, bakery goods and other refreshments will be sold at the Village Garage, 201 S. Milwaukee and at the American Legion Post 270 Hall, 101 Church St.

Rummage sale maps will be available beginning June 3 at the Village Garage or Village Hall and at the American Legion Hall the day of the event. Those wishing to list their sale on the map should contact the Village Hall before Wednesday, June 2, by calling 488-5421. Memorial Day services American Legion Post 270 and VFW Post 6709 of Waupun will hold a special service in observance of Memorial Day at the Veterans Memorial in Shaler Park following the parade. The parade will start at 9 a.m. at East Main and State streets and head east on Main Street before turning north on Madison Street.

The Miller-Justman-Guelig Post 270 of the American Legion in Theresa will visit the following cemeteries on Memorial Day, May 31, to honor and remember all veterans: 10 a.m., St. Paul's, town of Lomira; 10:15 a.m., St. Petrie, town of Theresa; 10:30 a.m., River Church (Immanuel), town of Theresa; 10:45 a.m., Zion, town of Theresa; 11 a.m., Hocheim, town of Herman; 11:30 a.m., St. Theresa Memorial Gar i'j'i In I'ti t. w' --its U' I A HEALTHY SELF-IMAGE kiiii to you Ifc-rmiilolouy Skin 'arc.

Micn wnr 4.m h''r Hr i ji i.il fi f. ,1 full i. is i -i -kiir mi; i. "if i iinil'iiii it ir III. Ill vt'iu skin.