Doc's Last Launch Interview

Balloon Launch Story & Pictures
Doc & the Crew's Last & Final Launch!
WISCONSIN LAUNCH 2007 PICTURES

Wisconsin POW-MIA Launch Video

Launch Video-Missing Man Table Ceremony

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2007 GuestBook

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Doc-Julie-Judith-Joe
 

10th Anniversary POW-MIA Balloon Launch makes history!
25,000 balloons were launched on Memorial Day 2007
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
100 volunteers & 36 helium tanks & one 80' military cargo chute
POW-MIA table ceremony
Flyover's
POW-MIA Wreath ceremony
POW-MIA Booth
Gold Star & POW-MIA songs were sung
Bricks dedicated at the Vietnam Vets Memorial
Memorial Day Parade winding into Vets Park
Ceremonies at the War Memorial Center

Special Thanks to
Rory Wettstein (Coachman Productions)Photography-Video

Nancy Aycock for Launch Photography-www.nancyaycock.com
This exhibit is showcasing the moments that I have photographed, over the past few years, of military Veterans in the community.
As an Army Veteran, I feel a strong personal connection to the Veterans community in Wisconsin.
This is a strong and dedicated community of Veterans who continually and freely give their time to help
support Wisconsin Veterans, soldiers, families, and their communities. While I may not be “in” service anymore,
I feel honored to serve with my fellow Veterans in our community through different organizations and events.
My hope is to share with you the quiet moments, the reflections, and the pride in service that I have been fortunate
enough to see in the faces of those who continue to give and to serve.
Also, two matted & framed images will be raffled off to raise funds for the 2007 “Christmas with the Vets”, held at
the Zablocki VA Hospital on December 8th, 2007.  For more information about the event:
www.war-veterans.org/xmas.htm
Please feel free to share this information!
I look forward to seeing you Friday or Saturday!

The skies were clear and the weather was fantastic, as preparations were underway
to prepare for the launch. At 0:730hrs volunteers met for breakfast. At 0:900hrs
the launch crew was at Vets park unloading supplies and helium.
The chute was prepared and the tents went up as well as the POW-MIA booth.
Everyone was busy doing their jobs.From setting up the food tent and mess area, to
moving tables for the helium tanks and securing them. Banners were displayed and the
POW-MIA table was prepared. Wreath displays were being readied, and Music filled the air from our DJ.

"The United Auto Workers of America"
was the major sponsor of the 10th Anniversary launch.

By 10am the black balloons were being filled at 3 doorways to the chute.
By Noon we had 10,000 filled, as Doc shut down operations, so everyone
could have lunch. Brats-Hot Dogs-Burgers and the fixings/Soda/Water were all ready
for the Crew to enjoy.
Thanks to
Klements Sausage
Solly's Grille
Papas Bakery
Jody/Kevin-Waterford PicknSave

Balloon filling started back up and by 15:30hrs we were set to launch.
Ceremonies began and they truly were emotional and patriotic.
At 16:30hrs Milwaukee time, 25,000 balloons were released into the skys.
At the same time our 10th Anniversary POW-MIA Kite was flying with them.
They headed West, and we are now waiting for the Guestbook to receive reports
of where they have landed and what states or countries they went to.

This was the largest POW-MIA launch of this magnitude in the USA ever done.

Thanks to the "POW-MIA Freedom Fighters" and Jen Bauer & her Org. for getting it all started helping to make
Col.Ted Guys(Ex-POW) dream come true.

Thanks to Rod Utech & America's Freedom Network for airing the story of the Launch.

WISN TV 12 for Fantastic News coverage of the balloon liftoff.

THANK YOU
To the entire Launch Crew & Supporters for being there
for me for the past 10 years helping to keep the Fires Burning
for our Prisoners of War-Missing in Action

Please visit the Launch site to read about the launch story
and check out all our supporters.
www.war-veterans.org/Wlaunch.htm

Jeff  "Doc" Dentice
Wisconsin Launch Founder

2007 Launch Volunteers

DOC DENTICE-LAUNCH FOUNDER & COORDINATOR
JULIE SPANGLER-SECRETARY-TREASURER-COMMUNICATIONS

View Launch Guestbook

 

Doc,
    Thank you so much for such a great day. I really had a wonderful time at the Ballon Launch.
You did an amazing job!  I want to thank you for being there for me when I had my emotional breakdown.
Sometimes I don't think people realize how the war, and all that comes with it,
affects even those who were not there. Seeing that POW-MIA kite flying high with the sun shining behind it, and seeing all those names
shine through was a reminder of how blessed our family was to have both of my brothers come back home.
My only wish is that my brother Pete would have been there to see it.
Mike has some really amazing friends and you are one of them.  Again, thank
you soooooooooo much!

Mary (Lango) Glazer

PS:  I thought you might enjoy the following poem:
.
 MEMORIAL DAY
We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.

The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.

They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,

Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore

~By C W Johnson- May 1975~

Dear Jeff (Doc) Dentice,
I was honored to have been a part of the 2007 balloon launch.
Having served in the military and knowing how many people just in my generation that have died, gone missing
or have become prisoners of war is mind boggling.
This is definitely one event that I will continue to volunteer for, for as long as this event is running.
Patrick Hansen
 
 

DOC AND JULIE, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 10TH ANNUAL WISCONSIN NATIONAL
POW/MIA BALLOON LAUNCH AT THE MILWAUKEE LAKEFRONT.
I  LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
Carter Doering

Doc
What a fantastic event! Very moving.
Please thank everyone for making me feel so welcome. I’ve performed places before where I felt like an outsider,
but you all made me feel like part of the team. I loved being included in the set up, and if I
didn’t know how to do something, they were happy to show me how.

I had no idea that my song would have such an effect on the families that were there.
When I saw people in the crowd comforting each other and holding back tears, it was hard for
me to finish. I was holding back my own tears for them.

 “Remember Me"
Written and performed by Don Matthew's

I had a wonderful time. The balloon launch was everything you said it would be and more!
WOW! I was very inspired by the memorial service. I had never seen the Missing Man Table Ceremony before.
Since I first saw the table with the explanation at the Comstock VFW, I was impressed by the imagery, but the
dignity of your presentation made this come alive for me. You have such a fantastic, dedicated team. I thank you so much for
making me feel so welcome as a part of your big, wonderful family. I hope that you will be able to continue this tradition for years to come.
I will do everything that I can to promote your launch and get the word out. God bless you all

2007 POW-MIA Launch Kite
Sponsored By Mike Lango's sister Mary for 10th Anniversary
Names done by Mary
Created by Brian



















 

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