TOWN OF EATON (NBC 26) — A community came together this Memorial Day to honor a man who dedicated his life to protecting our country and pay tribute to all military veterans.
Taps rang out Monday near SS Cyril & Methodius Faith Community Chapel in the town of Eaton. A crowd gathered around a new memorial erected in remembrance of Brian Sengbusch, a highly decorated army veteran who died three years ago at the age of 60.
This Memorial Day, a community comes together for a special tribute to a man who dedicated his life to protecting our country. More tonight on @NBC26 at 5. pic.twitter.com/oXEMJ7RTda
— Kelsey Dickeson (@KelseyDickeson) May 30, 2022
"He was a wonderful young man," said Bonnie Klinzing, Brian's aunt. "It just shows how much he was thought of. He'd be very humble and think he didn't deserve it, but he did."
Sengbusch enlisted in the U.S. Army right after he graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1977. He served for 30 years and even came out of retirement to serve during the Iraq War.
"He could never talk about his missions, because they were top secret," said Teri Sengbusch, Brian's sister-in-law. "He was just very dedicated and when he got out he was a commander of the VFW post where he lived."
An active member of the community, Sengbusch also served as president of Horse Spirit, a non-profit that provides equine therapy to help people cope with stress and anxiety.
He contributes to the family's long history of military service.
"We've had somebody in every conflict from WWI up until today," said Bruce Sengbusch, Brian's brother. "So we have a pretty strong military background."
Bruce Sengbusch, Brian's brother, spent the last two years getting the memorial in place.
"I approached the chapel, because this was my family's chapel - my grandparents - and I asked them if I could do this and they said yes," Bruce Sengbusch said. "So we developed a plan and a layout and did it."
His labor of love came to life this Memorial Day. The Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 186 presented the colors and gave a rifle salute in front of a crowd of friends and family.
"I'm blown away. Today, people don't respect the veterans a lot and it was just amazing to see how many veterans you know," Bruce Sengbusch said. "Just thank a veteran. They've sacrificed a lot."
Dedication bricks with the names of military members line the path to the monument, which stands in Brian's memory and in honor of all those who've served our country.
People can purchase an engraved brick for a loved one who served in the U.S. military to honor their legacy. It's part of a fundraiser for the chapel.
