Sheboygan’s Memorial Day celebration is a collaboration between the City of Sheboygan, Launch: Lakeland University Student-Run Businesses, and the Sheboygan County Veterans Service Office. Kohler Credit Union is sponsoring the parade. It is set for Monday, May 29, 2023, in downtown Sheboygan starting at 9:00 am. A ceremony to honor United States veterans and active-duty personnel will follow at Fountain Park. There will be a brat fry at Fountain Park after the parade and ceremony.
The mission of Lakeland’s Launch venture is to transform Lakeland students into the next generation of innovative leaders by providing paid experiential and entrepreneurial learning opportunities that prepare students for diverse careers in a multi-faceted world. Lakeland students are empowered to create, develop, manage and lead business ventures. These experiences are part of a campus-wide initiative that instills an entrepreneurial mindset that is applicable across all majors.
Questions about Sheboygan’s Memorial Day celebration should be emailed to Kym Leibham at Leibhamk@lakeland.edu.
►View the Facebook event
Parade info:
- The parade route starts at 7th Street & Center Avenue, goes north on 7th Street to Michigan Avenue, goes west on Michigan to 9th Street, goes south on 9th Street, and ends at Fountain Park.
- If you would like to participate in the parade, please scroll down to access the registration form.
- Please keep in mind the purpose and solemnity of the Memorial Parade when considering your entry. All entrants must reflect a Memorial Day theme and should not be solely for the purpose of advertising a for-profit venture. Parade participants will be required to be in position between 7:45 am and 8:15 am. Instructions and positions for the parade will be sent out closer to the parade date.
Ceremony info:
- Begins immediately after the parade at Fountain Park
- Tributes to veterans and active-duty men and women
- Speaker: Major Nathan Blackwell (click for bio)
Brat Fry info:
- Begins immediately after the parade at Fountain Park (1010 N. 8th St)
- 100% of proceeds will go to Triple Nickel Post 555, American Legion – Sheboygan Marine Corps League Detachment 1446
Volunteer Information:
- Post-parade program
- Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tasks Set-up stage: chairs, flags, wreath area, hand out programs, etc.
Number of Volunteers: 4 - Parade division marshal & lineup assistance
Time 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tasks Assist parade participants find line-up location, be sure all participants are in proper order, answer general questions, present flowers to veterans, etc.
Number of Volunteers: 6
Lao, Hmong, and American Veterans 17th Annual Memorial Celebration
Following the 9a.m. Sheboygan Memorial Day parade on May 29, the public is invited to Deland Park to attend the celebration at the Lao, Hmong and American Veterans Memorial (LHAVM). The ceremony begins at 11:30a.m. The event will include remarks by LHAVM chairman Xia Vue Yang and Sheboygan mayor Ryan Sorenson. The memorial celebrates the camaraderie between the Hmong and Lao warriors during the era of the Secret War in Laos, and their American counterparts, namely the US Special Forces and Air America crews. A T-28 flyover by pilot Paul Walter showcases the plane flown by Hmong pilots.
The keynote speaker of the day will be Maj. Steven Schofield, author of “Secret War in Laos: Green Berets, CIA and the Hmong.” He served as a medic in the US Army Special Forces in Okinawa, Taiwan, Philippines and in Vietnam, and with USAID Public Health Division in Laos. After returning from Laos, he joined the Special Forces Army Reserve and retired as a major in 1995 and today is an active supporter of the Lao, Hmong and American Veterans’ Memorial. 18 new panels being added to the Memorial will be dedicated, and the event will be rounded out by Hmong cultural dancers.
Following the event, attendees are invited to attend the SGU luncheon at Deland Park, and all are invited to visit the Aviation Heritage Center at the Sheboygan County Airport where the connection between the Hmong and Air America is showcased in detail. Air America pilot Neil Hansen will be on hand.
The individuals being honored, listed in no particular order, include Naikong Xiong Pao Lee, ULt. Seng V. Vang, Maj. Chongjeh Vang, Capt. Vang Bee, Capt. Lo Vang Kiatoukaysy, Lt. Chong Soua Vue, Maj. Wangmeng S. Lee, Capt. Ge Xiong Tou, PFC Walong Kiatoukaysy Lo, Capt. Saychou Lo Kiatoukaysy, Lt. Bouacheng Vang, 1st Lt. Xaichou V. Vang, Maj. Wakai Vue, 2nd Lt. Chong Neng S. Lor, SGU Col. Waseng Vang, 2nd Lt. Nhia Thong Lor, Capt. Toua Lor Kiatoukaysy, and Senator Moua Sue.
Questions about Sheboygan’s Lao, Hmong, and American Veterans 17th Annual Memorial Day celebration should be emailed to Xia Vue Yang at Xiavueyang1@gmail.com.
►Lao, Hmong and American Veterans 17th Annual Memorial poster
Parade info:
- The parade route starts at 7th Street & Center Avenue, goes north on 7th Street to Michigan Avenue, goes west on Michigan to 9th Street, goes south on 9th Street, and ends at Fountain Park.
- The parade starts at 9:00 am.
Ceremony info:
- Dedication/Memorial Celebration begins at 11:30 am.
Location: Deland Park (Broughton Drive) - Introduction of Guest of Honor and welcome remarks from Mayor Ryan Sorenson
- Keynote Speaker: Major Steve Schofield (click for bio)
- T-28 Airplane Fly-over by pilot Paul Walter and crew
- Program will be followed by a pigeon release ceremony, presented by the Sheboygan Pigeon Flying Club
- SGU Veterans Lunch- All are invited