Former Omro resident posthumously awarded for heroism during World War II, and more news in weekly dose
OSHKOSH - U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher recently presented medals to the family of World War II veteran Ray C. Jackson in honor of his heroic service.
Jackson, a former Omro resident, was one of the brave volunteers who signed up for retaking Burma from the Japanese units occupying it. The unit of volunteers is known as Merrill’s Marauders.
In a speech presenting the medals to Jackson’s family, Rep. Gallagher said: “In April of 1944, Ray’s battalion was trapped in the caves surrounding the village of Nhpum Ga for several weeks, beating back assault after assault from Japanese forces. Ray sustained injuries during this engagement, but he drew on a deep reserve of fortitude and fought on. When the smoke cleared from the over one hundred and thirty artillery rounds fired into Japanese positions, Ray and his fellow Marauders had emerged victorious despite their heavy combat losses.”
The medals presented to Jackson’s family were the Bronze Star Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars; World War II Victory Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge (1st Award); and Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II.
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Welcome to your weekly dose.Here is more news from throughout Winnebago County.
Electronics recycling event benefits Boys & Girls Club
A free electronics recycling event is being offered by the Boys & Girls Club, Sadoff Iron & Meta and URT. It will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, 501 E. Parkway Ave.
Residents of Oshkosh and the surrounding communities are welcome to recycle their electronics. Businesses are excluded. Donations will be accepted for the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, but it is not required to use the service.
Acceptable items include residential electronics: televisions; computers (desktop, laptop, netbook and tablet computers); desktop printers (including combination printers and 3-D printers); computer monitors; other computer accessories (including keyboards, mice, speakers, external hard drives and flash drives); e-Readers; DVD players, VCRs and other video players; and fax machines.
Hazardous and contaminated items will not be accepted, including: contaminated medical equipment; fire alarms; dehumidifiers; mercury containing devices; exit signs; smoke detectors; fire extinguishers; or any unit with liquid or sludge.
For more information, contact URT at 608-754-3400.
Weekend of Welsh events set at Oshkosh chapel
Peniel Welsh Chapel is set to host a weekend of Welsh events Aug. 26-27 at W9644 Zoar Road, Oshkosh.
The weekend will begin Aug. 26 with a Zoar Cemetery walk at 1 p.m., just west of the chapel. The Rev. William Rhys Locke, minister of Saron Chapel, Crynant, Wales, will offer a presentation on Wales at 2:30 p.m. A Welsh meal will be served at 4:30 p.m. with the Peniel Quartet performing at 6 p.m.
Aug. 27, Rev. Locke will lead the 11:30 a.m. worship service. A catered lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. The 101st Peniel Welsh Chapel Gymanfa Ganu is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
Reservations are required to attend either meal. Call or text to 920-858-0320 or email penielchapel1856@gmail.com.
Next session of GriefShare support begins Aug. 28
The next GriefShare session will get under way Aug. 28. The group will meet 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Nov. 27 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 338 N. Eagle St. Attendees are asked to use the Porter Street parking lot.
The group is open to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. Some of the topics covered include fear, anxiety, anger, regrets, sadness, hope and resilience.
Registration is required at griefshare.org. For more information, contact Ann Gosdeck at 920-509-7656 or gosdecka@yahoo.com or Jim Daubert at 920-685-6592 or jdaubert91@gmail.com.
Winnebago hosts public meeting on County P reconstruction
Winnebago County will hold a public meeting to discuss proposed reconstruction along County P, from State 47 to Midway Road. The session will begin at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 in the Maple Room of the Fox Crossing Community Center, 1000 Valley Road, Menasha.
Discussion will focus on the preliminary design concepts for the reconstruction of the roadway and to gather public comments. This will be the second of two public meetings. The project is planned for construction in the summer of 2025.
Those unable to attend the meeting or for more information may contact design consultant Andy Dana at 920-498-1200. Written comments may be mailed to Andy Dana, Ayres Associates, 3376 Packerland Drive, Ashwaubenon, WI 54115, or via email to danaa@AyresAssociates.com.
New tennis professionals set to lead Oshkosh Y programs
The fall session of Oshkosh Y Tennis & Pickleball begins Sept. 5, and offers tennis lessons for ages 4 and older and all abilities.
New tennis professionals Brian Hornburg and Robert Downey Jr. are ready to lead the programs. Hornburg is the head tennis professional. He is USPTA certified and has worked with all levels of adult and youth players. Downey was hired in March as a second full-time tennis professional as a result of high demand for these programs. He also is USPTA certified and has more than 30 years of experience.
The pair will teach the various group lessons, cardio tennis and doubles drills. They will be involved with all lesson groups for youth and adults. Private — individual or group — lessons can also be scheduled.
For more information, contact 920-236-3400 or sheilacounts@oshkoshymca.org.
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Wisconsin Herd seeks individuals for its entertainment team
The Wisconsin Herd, NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, is looking for performers to join its entertainment team, Herd Hype.
Auditions will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Wisconsin Herd Office, 549 High Ave., Oshkosh. Anyone 18 or older interested in trying out should register online at https://bucks.formstack.com/forms/wisconsin_herd_herd_hype_auditions.
The audition will consist of multiple activities to showcase each individual’s personality and what they can bring to the team. Participants should wear athletic clothes that allow movement with tennis shoes that do not leave marks.
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Omro World War II veteran, part of Merrill's Mauraders, awarded medals
