March 1, 2022 – West Bend, WI – West Bend High School teacher Scott Mindel sent an email notification Tuesday morning, March 1, 2022, about a memorial plaque from the Class of 1940 honoring three alumni from West Bend High School killed in action in World War II.
Mindel said the plaque has been removed by school administration and he is hoping one of the family members of Gerald Bell, Raymond Puestow or Stewart Vincent would like to give the plaque a home before it is “hidden away somewhere or worse, being discarded.”
Calls have been placed to administration and the West Bend School Board for more information on why the plaque was removed.
WWII veteran Allan Kieckhafer is a 1941 graduate of the West Bend High School. He served in the U.S. Navy and knew Raymond Puestow.
“Raymond was a year older than I was,” said Kieckhafer.
When informed about the veterans’ plaque being removed Kieckhafer said “I think it ought to be replaced.”
“I think it should be put back up; these veterans served our country, and they should be honored,” he said.
West Bend Veteran John Kleinmaus has headed up local flag-raising ceremonies and Memorial Day services. “I just can’t envision removing something like that, a memorial of students who went through the West Bend High School system killed in action… I don’t know why they would remove that… that doesn’t make sense to me.”
This is a working story, and more information will be added when details become available.
Photo courtesy Ann Neumann
Looks like the West Bend school district is another example of why public schools need less money thrown at them and not more money.
Please, the West Bend American Legion could accept and preserve that plaque
WHY? This needs to be taught in school, not dismissed. I’m a Vet., and it needs to be replaced IMMEDIATELY.
Why? I cannot imagine ANY REASON they should be removed! They deserve the honor not for a few yrs but forever just like death is forever. They died in service to all of us!!!
Very stupid move, they need to put it back up
What P.C. excuse do they have this time?
West Bend schools have been a joke for awhile now, this doesn’t surprise me
Surely there is a little room to hang a plaque honoring a veteran from the school
What? They give no reason?