Elect Ron Kind for Congress - Wisconsin Third Congressional District

LaCrosse Tribune

- Sunday, June 14, 2009

TOMAH, Wis. As military personnel and public officials remembered Fort McCoys past at a Centennial Commemoration Ceremony on Saturday, the distant sound of helicopters served as a reminder of ongoing training efforts on the post.

Our theme for this commemoration is, A Century of Service to our Nation, Albert R. Fournier, master of ceremonies and deputy to the garrison commander of Fort McCoy, said Saturday. This theme embodies what Fort McCoy is all about.
Several members of the McCoy family were in attendance to mark 100 years since Maj. Gen. Robert Bruce McCoy, a veteran of World War I, former Monroe County judge and former mayor of Sparta, founded the military post formerly known as Camp McCoy. The grandson of McCoy, retired Air Force Col. Douglas McCoy, shared family stories of his grandfather as well as memories of his childhood working at Fort McCoy.

I didn't know my grandfather, and I wish I would have, Douglas McCoy said. My grandfather, known as, Bob, to his friends, was a public servant of the highest order.

For the 25th year in a row, over 100,000 troops trained at Fort McCoy in 2008. Fort McCoy was also the recipient of $37 million in funds from the federal stimulus package earlier this year, with over $10 million covering renovations for the World War II-era barracks at the post. Garrison Commander Col. David Chesser, and Senior Commander Maj. Gen. James Sholar both praised the ongoing efforts of military and civilian personnel on the post Saturday.

I like to describe Fort McCoy's infrastructure as experienced, Sholar said. Some might call it old. But if you look around, it is getting newer every day.

Several public officials were also in attendance Saturday, including U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and Congressman Ron Kind.

This fort has contributed so much to our nation's defense, Feingold said. In Wisconsin, we are tremendously proud of Fort McCoy and all it has accomplished.

Feingold and Kind joined Douglas McCoy, Chesser and Sholar to cut the birthday cake after the ceremony and a moment of silence for fallen military personnel.

I truly think Maj. Gen. McCoy would be proud that what began on his ranch 100 years ago has now evolved into a the vital and vibrant 21st century installation we have today, Fourneir said in closing.

Also in attendance were Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and former Garrison Commander Raymond G. Boland; Wisconsin State Rep. Mark Radcliffe, D-Black River Falls; state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, (D-Alma; Tomah Mayor Ed Thompson; and Sparta Mayor John Sund. Feingold served as the events keynote speaker, praising past and present contributions of the installation.