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Julie Krause is a volunteer coordinator at the Neenah Public Library. Julie enjoys visiting different parks with her kids. “The parks are really beautiful and they are a wonderful place to go.” Her favorite place is in Neenah and she said it was the Library because it is a place to do many things and everyone is so nice! Julie does have family in Neenah, her kids and husband. Julie likes Neenah because it is very family oriented. “A lot of thought is put into events and Neenah is very safe.” We choose to live in Neenah because it was so beautiful and safe! A lot of work is put into events and what our city looks like! If you are from Neenah, enjoy the beauty of our city and if you aren't from Neenah you should visit us! We hope to see you!
Article by Brianne Getlinger
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A hero to me is not someone who gives a lot of money or is able to complete an amazing accomplishment. A hero to me is someone who is always kind, generous, and selfless in everything they do. Although there are many people in our community that we could call heros, we selected two heros that stood out the most to the PBL class. They then were elected for their great endeavors. One of our heroes is Eileen McCoy. After talking to Eileen on the phone, she stated that she wouldn't call herself a hero or an influential figure of Neenah. She feels the entire City of Neenah Parks and Recreation team are heroes as they have a huge impact on the community through their work. For the past 37 years, Eileen has seen the community grow into a loving and diverse family. She absolutely loves making Neenah an exceptional place to live and being able to see families have fun and enjoy all the programs and parks the city of Neenah has to offer. Even after Eileen retires, she plans on helping with projects throughout the city to continue to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. A current project the Parks and Recreation team is working on is to finish the trestle trail loop. At the end of this project people will be able to walk, bike, and run around Little Lake Butte Des Morts. For the past 37 years, her passion and excellence has changed Neenah to a great urban area. This is the reason is why we are proud to call her a Hero of Neenah!
Thank You Eileen McCoy for your hard work and commitment to our wondrous community! Article by Jacob Theisen There are heroes all around us. Heroes that step up and go the extra mile to do what is right for everyone. Heroes that we can all look up to and be inspired by. Unfortunately, a lot of our heroes are taken from us too soon. Elmer Burr was one of those men. Elmer Burr was born May 11th, in Neenah Wisconsin, and graduated from Menasha High School in 1926. The attack of Pearl Harbor was the precursor to Burr’s entering of the war. He entered a three year long war in New Guinea with Company I, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division also known as the “les terribles” referring to its fortitude in advancing over terrain others could not. The 32nd then adopted its shoulder patch; a line shot through with a red arrow, to signify its tenacity in piercing the enemy line. It then became known as the “Red Arrow Division”. By December 24, 1942, he was serving as a first sergeant in the company at the village of Buna. On that day, he smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him, including his commanding officer. He suffered severe wounds to his abdomen and died in a field hospital the next day. Burr, age 34 at his death, was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Neenah and has a memorial in Menasha.
“Dear Friend; I received a call this afternoon from my sister Menasha in which she asked if I could attend the program in honor of your husband. I knew Elmer in Company I, and was in action with him in the Buna Campaign. We were both hit on the same day and hour. I owe Sgt. Burr very much and cannot express my feelings for him in words. I had been hit by a machine gun seven times and also by a grenade. You can imagine my helpless condition at the time and my need of assistance. Captain Michael Ustruck crawled out to drag me back in. I was a heavy burden to drag back so it required much time. Sergeant Burr guessed something was wrong so he also crawled out to find out the delay. He had to go through a mortar and artillery barrage but he got to us safely. He and the Captain carried me to a safer area in rear of the lines. So you see his bravery and loyalty was one of the chief reasons why I am here today to tell about it. I understand that about fifteen minutes later he, the Captain and some other fellow officer were pinned down in a shell hole by a Jap machine gunner. The Jap, seeing he couldn't get them that way, lobbed in a hand grenade. Sergeant Burr knew instantly that it would be fatal to all of them so He dropped on the grenade. He sacrificed his life to save his comrades. I believe it was habit of his to save lives, disregarding his own. He could not have died more bravely. I hope you are as brave about this loss as he was in battle. Sincerely, Lieutenant Francis Young Percy Jones Hospital Battle Creek, Mich.” For this act of heroism, Elmer J. Burr was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on October 11, 1943. The words “the best soldier I have ever known” were used by the men he served next to in the face of battle. Elmer showed acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company l. Elmer Burr was an extraordinary man that did extraordinary things for this country. A lot of people owe their lives to the courageous acts Mr. Burr displayed. He truly is a hero we can all look up to and learn from. We all thank you for your service. Article by Ben Makowski |
AuthorStudents of Neenah High Arete PBL Academy Archives
June 2016
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