Area vets young and old gather at UW-La Crosse for Veterans Day breakfast

A fairly new Veterans Day tradition in La Crosse took place Monday at UW-La Crosse.

Dozens attended the 12th annual Veterans Breakfast at Mitchell Hall, honoring living vets from as far back as World War II.

Guests heard from Karl “Jim” Fischer, who served as an honor guard 50 years ago at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, while serving in the Army.

Fischer recently visited Washington, D.C., again during the last Freedom Honor Flight out of La Crosse, which also organizes the annual breakfast.

Many of the older vets who attended are now from the Vietnam era.

John Bantle is one local Vietnam veteran of the Marines who appreciates the campus event.

“I think it’s always nice to have people that kinda understand what you’ve been through, and to be able to relate with them and talk to them,” said Bantle, who recalled when the Vietnam veterans didn’t get many honors when they came home.

Pete Clements is a Navy veteran from that time, who met with other vets at the UWL event.

“I didn’t really have much feeling about my Vietnam service in my early years,” Clements said. “We were kind of like the leftover people from World War II,” who he feels got most of the recognition accorded U.S. veterans for many years.

Freedom Honor Flight board president Kevin Kuchar called the turnout of about 200 people “amazing,” adding that the community is very supportive of the programs honoring vets.

“When we have our flights, the community comes out and welcomes the veterans home at the end of the flight day, ” when hundreds of people come to the La Crosse airport to greet the return from D.C.

The next FreedomHonor Flight from La Crosse to D.C., is May 3.

Along with speakers, guests at the breakfast also heard music, including a choir of young students from North Woods Elementary in La Crosse.