Here’s a list of KAVV members and associate members serving on the Honor Guard:
- John Argust
- Roy Beals
- Chuck Burmeister
- Richard Bowker
- Paul Ciarelli*
- Brad Cramlet*
- Tim Green
- Robert Marion
- Dom Martinelli
- Tim O’Brien
- Larry Olle
- Jim Rossman
- Tom Visintainer*
- Jeff Western
- Rich Willoughby
- Associate Members serving on the Honor Guard
If you want to know how we associate members feel, here is a speech I had the honor of giving at our 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony…
You may have noticed that three of us up here, myself included, aren’t wearing medals or ribbons from the Vietnam War. That’s because we’re the “younger generation” of the Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard—though I use the word younger loosely.
Some of the men on this squad have been doing this for nearly 40 years. Four decades of dedication, standing in the sun, the rain, the snow—folding flags, offering final salutes, and honoring our countries veterans with quiet dignity. They’ve done it without fanfare, without complaint, and always with respect.
And while none of them are in a hurry to step away, there comes a time when the torch must be passed—whether it’s to save their backs, their knees, or just to give them a well-earned break from cold winds and standing at attention for what sometimes feels like hours.
I’ve been with the squad for nearly five years now, and I think I speak for the rest of us “new guys” when I say: we are deeply honored to serve alongside these men. They’ve been our example—our mentors—and sometimes even our older brothers.
They’ve set a standard—one of dignity, humility, and unwavering commitment. We’re proud to continue what they started—to give to Kenosha what they have given so faithfully, day in and day out, for decades.
So, to our older brothers on this Honor Guard: thank you for your time, your heart, and your steady hands. We’ll carry the torch with pride—and hopefully pass it on to another generation someday.
(After a short pause)
If you’d like to learn more about the Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard that we associate members proudly serve with—and about the KAVV organization itself, which is still welcoming Vietnam-era veterans, including its newest member, John Argust—please visit our website:
s e w i v e t s . o r g / k a v v (all lowercase).