November 07, 2025 – Jackson, WI – The auditorium at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson was filled Thursday morning with the sound of patriotic songs and the quiet respect of students and families gathered for the school’s annual Veterans Day Observance. For more than two decades, the ceremony has been a heartfelt tribute to those who have served — and it all began with a simple idea shared between two members of the community.
“We do this every year for veterans,” said Mike Riebe, 82, an Air Force veteran and longtime member of the Henry F. Gumm American Legion Post 486 in Jackson. “Over 20 years ago, a member of the KML community, Betty Gumm approached me and asked if the Legion would like to participate because the students wanted to honor our veterans. So, we worked something out. We came up with a theme, and that’s how it started. It’s been going on ever since.”
That first program, Riebe recalled, was held on Veterans Day itself. “Afterward, the principal at that time came up and said that particular weekend, a large group of students always travels for a contest within our church synod. The kids didn’t want to miss the program,” Riebe said. “So, we decided to move it to a different day so everyone could be part of it — and here we are, still doing it all these years later.”
Riebe remembered the early programs fondly. “A good friend of mine, a teacher here who I refereed volleyball and basketball with, came up to me after that first observance and shook my hand,” he said. “He told me, ‘Mike, I want to congratulate your student body. They were so attentive and just so quiet.’ Then he laughed and said, ‘I teach religion classes — I can’t keep them quiet in my room. How did you do it?’”
Riebe said, “It’s not me. It’s the story of veterans. When you share those stories, when students understand the sacrifices — they listen.”
Over the years, the Veterans Day Observance at Kettle Moraine Lutheran has grown into a cornerstone of the school’s community life. The program typically includes music, reflections, and a salute to those who have served across generations.
This years’ service again closed with the familiar strains of God Bless America, the audience joining in:
“From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home.”
For Riebe, who has attended every observance since that first one, the tradition is about connection — between veterans and students, and between generations who understand the importance of gratitude.
“It’s a blessing,” he said simply. “Every year, these young people remind us that our service is remembered.”
Riebe joined the military when he was 16-and-a-half years old and served during Vietnam from 1960-64.
The theme for the service was the history of the POW/MIA flag and the POW/MIA Remembrance Table. Pastor Clark Schultz from Shepherd of the Hills in West Bend led the ceremony.
On a history note: Betty Gumm helped start the Veteran’s Day Observance. She died in May 4, 2024. Below is a portion of her obituary.
Betty and George worked with George’s parents Clarence and Helen at Gumm’s Tap in Jackson. In 1960, George and Betty took over the business from his parents. In 1962, they built a new tavern/restaurant next door to the old tavern. Betty was blessed with the ability to prepare fantastic meals. In 1969, Betty and George sold the tavern to her brother, Wayne Heidel and his wife, Jeanne. Betty continued doing X-ray work. In 1974, they bought a small supper club on Cedar Lake in West Bend. After about 18 months they sold the supper club. Again, Betty continued doing X-ray work until she retired in 2009.
Betty was an active member for over 60 years of the Henry F. Gumm American Legion Auxiliary Post 486 in Jackson, WI. She carried great pride of our country and for those who served in the military.