Veteran dedicates Ice Age Trail hikes to fallen Wisconsin service members

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A retired Wisconsin Air Drive veteran completed the Ice Age Path in November, dedicating each mile to fallen Wisconsin service members by way of the many years.

“I began on the Air Drive’s birthday, September 18th, 2021,” mentioned Annette Martiny. “It was a good way to transition as a result of, I’m going to be trustworthy with you, the considered leaving a 34-year navy security internet was type of daunting.”

After retiring, Martiny wasted no time in getting began on the journey. However her motivation went a lot deeper than simply getting outdoors and hitting the trials.

“I truly misplaced my brother after I was 15; he was within the Air Drive; he truly didn’t die in fight; he was hit and killed by a drunk driver,” mentioned Martiny. “A part of the rationale I made a decision to do these dedications in reminiscence of those fallen is in order that the household would know that their beloved one’s sacrifices aren’t in useless and that there are different folks moreover the household that bear in mind them.”

Martiny researched service members within the areas round every hike, dedicating each mile to completely different service members from across the state in each latest operations and ones courting again to World Conflict I. Her ultimate steps had been in Baraboo, finishing her travels on the memorial of a member of the family and one of many Baraboo 21.

“My uncle, Paul Stewart, was truly in control of the 20 different troops that had been on this ship; they had been sure for France to struggle in World Conflict I,” mentioned Martiny. “It’s the website the place they memorialize the 250 plus folks, each U.S. and allied forces, that perished throughout the sinking of the Tuscania; it was hit by a German U-boat.”

Martiny says she additionally labored to achieve out to a few of the households of the fallen service members, letting them know the influence their family members nonetheless have and that they aren’t forgotten.

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