Students help keep alive memory of Cuban Missile Crisis call-up

2021 marks 60th anniversary of the call-up of the local Guard unit to Fort Lewis in Washington

October 15 marks the 60th Anniversary of the call-up of the 32nd Division.

The United States 32nd Infantry Division was formed from Army National Guard units from Wisconsin and Michigan and fought primarily during World War I and World War II. With roots as the Iron Brigade in the American Civil War, the division’s ancestral units came to be referred to as the Iron Jaw Division. During tough combat in France in World War I, it soon acquired from the French the nickname Les Terribles, referring to its fortitude in advancing over terrain others could not. It was the first allied division to pierce the German Hindenburg Line of defense, and 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. (information provided by the Military Veteran’s Museum) 1961 also marked other milestones in the Medford community.

The first was the hospital, now known as Aspirus, opened its doors, and the second, Joseph “Pep” L. Simek, makes and sells the first Tombstone Pizza. Tombstone Pizza, as we all know, has become a national brand.

Students from Medford Area Middle School are taking their American Pride to the next level.

What started out as a field trip to the Highground during summer school, turned out to be so much more. Coordinating with Fort Lewis Museum in Washington, the students of Medford Area Middle School, with Mark Berglund as their advisor, sent out three flags. Some of the students that were involved in this project were: Jonathan Bartnik, Ethan Eisner, Roger Mann, and William Bartnik.

Fort Lewis flew the flags over the base to honor the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Fort Lewis sent back the flags to the students to do what they wish with them. With careful consideration, the students decided where they want the flags to go.

Berglund asked the kids “What do you want to do with the flags?”

After careful consideration, the students came up with an idea for each flag. Johnathan Bartnik said “The first flag will be flown in their homecoming parade on October 8, and then one will be raffled off towards the end of the football game.”

Roger Mann added “The second flag will be donated to the Medford VFW/Medford Guard Unit, and the last flag will be flown on the grounds of the middle school.”

Ever since this work has started, numerous students have volunteered to take on the task of raising the flag every morning.

The students all agreed that they are honored to have the flags back.