MENASHA (NBC 26) — Saturday was National Armed Forces Day.
A day that pays tribute to all who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed forces.
This weekend the community and local veterans from Neenah, Menasha and across the Fox Valley came together for a special ceremony.
“Only one percent of the country protects the rest of the country and this is just to honor all veterans and all people who have served our nation. To keep it safe from aggression or anything else that could destroy our democracy,” said James Meinke, Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 2126 Menasha.
This day was established in 1949 and is celebrated every year on the third Saturday of May.
But the community not only came out to show their support and patriotic spirit for Armed Forces Day, but they also came out to honor and remember a very special man.
A man, who did a lot for our country.
“Kenny Stumpf was a Menasha resident, he went to Menasha High School,” said Meinke.
Kenneth Stumpf who he’s referring to was a Medal of Honor recipient. That’s the United states’ highest military award for valor.
“He has the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Meritt, three bronze stars, a Purple Heart and he has 22 medals,” said one of the speakers.
Unfortunately he passed away last month at age 77.
This ceremony also served as one last tribute for Stumpf as he will soon be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
“We’re at the Reagan Library and Air Force One is inside of that. We took a picture of Air Force One,” said Thomas Robinson, Stumpf’s good friend.
Robinson said as difficult as his passing was he chooses to remember the memories made together.
“Ken, very aggressive when he played sports,” Robinson said. “Traveled with him on many Medal of Honor trips.”
