News Bulletin: Honoring the Devil Dogs, Heat Awareness

COMING UP

• On June 8, the Door Peninsula Marine Corps League will honor the Devil Dogs who fought so bravely during the Battle of Belleau Wood, June 6-26, 1918. This event will honor all Marines for their service, and northeastern Wisconsin Marines are encouraged to gather with their family and friends at 12 pm at American Legion Post #236, 913 6th St. in Algoma. Food will be available. The detachment’s Sr. Vice Commandant, Joe Vanidestine, will pay tribute to his grandfather, Henri Lemieux, who fought survived the famous – and ferocious – battle where the Marines earned the name “Devil Dogs.” It took place only 59 miles from the doorstep of Paris. The U.S. Marine regiments were charged with capturing Belleau Wood and expelling all German troops. One thousand Marines died on the first day of that battle. After three weeks of hand-to-hand combat, the Marines cleared Belleau Wood of German forces on June 26, 1918. This was the last major German offensive of the war, and the war ended six months later. But the cost of Marine lives was staggering: Almost 2,000 Marines were killed in action, and nearly 8,000 were injured. Two comments made during the battle have gone down in Marine lore: “Retreat? Hell, we just got here!” by Capt. Lloyd Williams; and “C’mon, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” by Gunnery Sgt. Dan Daley. The Germans applied the Devil Dogs name because of the ferocity of their foes.

• The Door County Department of Health and Human Services will hold the first of two public-participation meetings June 11, 4 pm, at the Aging & Disability Resource Center, 916 14th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. The second meeting will be held July 9, 9 am, in the Chambers Room of the Door County Government Center, 421 Nebraska St. in Sturgeon Bay. Both sites are accessible to those with special needs.

The meetings’ purpose is to provide opportunities for public comment to the department’s board members and staff regarding any aspect of the agency’s administration, programming or budget for 2020.

The agency provides a comprehensive array of statutorily defined services to Door County residents experiencing challenges with mental health, alcohol and other drug abuse, developmental disabilities, child protection, juvenile justice, economic support, long-term care, adult protective services, the Aging and Disability Resource Center, and Public Health.

Residents may also submit written statements to the Door County Department of Health and Human Services in care of Director Joseph Krebsbach, 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 or by email to [email protected]. The regular open board meetings of the department will begin after the public-participation meetings.

• June 5 is Heat Awareness Day in Wisconsin. In 2018, preliminary figures from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services showed that five people died in the state due to heat-related causes. In the last five years, at least 13 people have died in Wisconsin, and thousands have fallen ill or been hospitalized due to heat-related conditions. It’s important to take care of yourself and check on others during periods of extreme heat. The most vulnerable are very young children, the elderly and people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Individuals who are overweight or on certain medications may also be more susceptible to illness during extreme heat events. Find ReadyWisconsin’s full packet on Heat Awareness Day online at readywisconsin.wi.gov.

• The Friends of Door County Parks and the Facilities & Parks Department will unveil a plaque at Tornado Memorial County Park, 8515 County DK, and hold a dedication ceremony honoring the victims of the Peshtigo Fire on June 2, 1 pm. The commemorative plaque recently installed at the park carries the known names of the victims of that event. Paul Graf, president of the Friends of the Door County Park System, will serve as emcee. Speakers will include Dale Wiegand, who will tell the story of how the plaque came to be; Barb Chishom, representing the Belgian Historical Village; and Melinda Roberts. The public is invited.