100 Year Anniversary of Cushing Memorial Park
Alonzo Cushing- Medal of Honor Celebration
Welcome to the City of Delafield and we appreciate you making the time to join us during a special commemorative rededication of Cushing Memorial Park. We invite you to review the lodging options shown below to assist you with planning your stay in our beautiful city. Check in, get settled, and plan to participate in the activities shown in the schedule below.
Memorial Day weekend 2015 will see a very special celebration in the City of Delafield. A ceremony for the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Cushing Monument in Cushing Park will be held in conjunction with the display of Alonzo Cushing’s Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal was awarded to native son Alonzo by President Obama in 2014, to honor him as a Civil War hero at the Battle of Gettysburg 150 years ago. The original Monument dedication ceremony from 1915 will be recreated in Cushing Park. In addition, there will be a parade, a Civil War encampment, and a living history day. The Medal will be displayed at City Hall, and several relatives from the Cushing family will be in attendance.
100th Year – Cushing Memorial Park
Cushing Memorial Park development was completed in 1915 when 3,000+ people gathered to celebrate the Cushing Memorial. The park has changed over those 100 years, but what remains the same is the annual commoration of the park. With contributions from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy and reenactors, the sacrifce of the Cushing Brothers and their memorial is recognized annually.
History Lesson
Alonzo Cushing-Medal of Honor Recipient
Alonzo Hersford Cushing (January 19, 1841 – July 3, 1863) was an artillery officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He died at the Battle of Gettysburg while defending the Union position on Cemetery Ridge againstPickett’s Charge. Action was undertaken in 2013, 150 years after Cushing’s death, to award him the Medal of Honor. The nomination was approved by the United States Congress, and was sent for review by the Defense Department and the President.
On August 26, 2014, the White House announced he would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. President Obama awarded him the medal on November 6, 2014, in a White House ceremony attended by Cushing’s distant cousins, Frederic Stevens Sater and Frederic Cushing Stevens III, and their families, although his closest relation was Helen Bird Loring Ensign, a first cousin twice removed. Cushing left no direct descendants.
Cushing was born in what is now the City of Delafield, Wisconsin and raised in Fredonia, New York. His younger brother was future Union Navy officer Lt. William B. Cushing. They were the youngest of four brothers who eventually served in the Union forces (Their brother Howard was also killed while fighting the Chiricahua in 1871.)
Cushing was nominated for a belated award of the Medal of Honor, beginning with a letter campaign in the late 1980s by constituents of Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin. The measure was also advocated by Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin’s 3rd congressional district. In 2002, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) nominated Cushing for the Medal of Honor and, following a lengthy investigation, the U.S. Army approved the nomination in February 2010.
In order for the medal to be awarded, it had to be approved by the United States Congress. It was announced on May 20, 2010 that Cushing would receive the Medal of Honor, 147 years after his death.
However, the provision granting Cushing the Medal of Honor was removed from a defense spending bill by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) in December 2012. In December 2013, the Senate passed a defense bill that included a provision granting Cushing the Medal of Honor. The nomination was sent to the Defense Department for review, before being approved by President Barack Obama. On August 26, 2014, the White House announced Cushing would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
On November 6, 2014, 151 years after Alonzo Cushing’s death, President Obama presented the Medal of Honor, during a ceremony held at the White House. The ceremony was attended by two dozen relatives of the Cushing family.
2015 Cushing Memorial Park Rededication
Schedule of Activities:
*The Committee will be adding and adjusting the following schedule during the event planning stage.
Friday May 22- Education
“A Day for Civil War Education”
9:45am-2pm Scheduled Educational programs for local schools
Students arrive at 9:30am. 20 minutes per station
Break included for eating a bag lunch – 30 minutes lunch
Cushing Memorial Encampment
Cushing Memorial Park
6pm-8am Dine with History- (Tentative) Historical reenactors present at local restaurants and shops
Saturday May 23– Living History
“A Day for History”
10am-4pm Historical Encampment open to the public
Cushing Memorial Encampment – Cushing Memorial Park
** Food and Beverages – handled by the American Legion
Dawn – Dusk Veterans Memorial River Walk
Historic re-enactors will be on the walk
Sunday May 24 – 100 years
“A Day for Celebration” – Rededication of the Cushing Memorial
9am – 10am Community interdenominational service
10am-4pm Historical Encampment open to the public
Cushing Memorial Encampment – Cushing Memorial Park
** Food and Beverages – handled by the American Legion
1pm – 1:30pm Memorial Day Parade
St. John’s Military Academy to Cushing Memorial Park
2pm – 2:30pm Greetings by Civic Leaders
2:30pm Rededication Ceremony – Cushing Memorial Park
– Very similar to the original ceremony that took place 100 years ago
– Recognition of Medal of Honor
Monday May 25– Memorial Day
“A Day for Remembrance”
2pm – 3pm Memorial Day Ceremony William B. Cushing
Cushing Battery
Cushing Memorial Park
View the Map for the location of scheduled activities by clicking on the link below:
Google Maps – Cushing Park Celebration
Enhance your visit during Memorial Weekend celebration and say hello to our business owners!
Shop the diverse assortment of specialty retailers, dine at one of many award winning restaurants and then work off those delicious meals by cycling or walking the beautiful trails that surround the City of Delafield.
Recreation-There is plenty to do in the City of Delafield and Lake Country Area! Follow the link to view some of the options and for the hiking and bike trail map. Need even more possibilities? Call the Chamber/Tourism office for assistance: (262) 646-8100.
As always visit The Lake Country Mom’s Event Calendar
Planning this 100th Rededication Event takes countless hours of dedication from the passionate volunteers and sponsors supporting this event.
Thank You to the Financial Event Sponsors:
St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
Thank You to the Cushing Rededication Committee:
Mayor Michele DeYoe & City Departments
Jack Albert-President of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
Alderman Chris Smith (District 4), Jean Yeomans, Dave Krueger, Tom Smarella, Chuck Holland, Susan Schiller, Debra Keinert, Valerie Marek, Jenna Theissen, Jon Theissen, Don Rogers, Josh Hayes and Gayle Maney.
Visit Hawks Inn
2014 Hawks Inn and Visitor Center with the Delafield Hotel shown in the background.
The Hawks Inn Historical Museum
and Visitors Center
426 Wells Street
Delafield, WI
(262) 646-4794
HawksInn@wi.rr.com
Mailing Address:
Hawks Inn Historical Society
P.O. Box 180104
Delafield, WI 53018
This is one event you and your family will not want to miss out on!
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