Richard’s family moved to Milton in 1959, and he graduated from Milton High School in 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969, and completed Basic Training at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Richard also completed Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) at Fort Polk in Louisiana and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy at Fort Benning in Georgia. He served in Vietnam and Cambodia, and was wounded in Cambodia on May 24, 1970. Richard received a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with V Device and Oak Leaf Cluster. He medically retired from the US Army on July 2, 1971.
Richard has also been an active member of the Milton community. He has co-owned and operated four different restaurants in Milton, and he ran Ervin Fry & Sons Excavating with his father and brother, Bill, for seven years. Richard worked for 22 years at Frank Bros. before retiring in 2010, and during that time he was actively involved in the construction of Schilberg Park. He is a life member of DAV, VFW Post 1879, Milton FFA Alumni, and currently serves as the Commander of American Legion Post 367.
Richard has taken a lead role in the fundraising and coordination of the Milton Area Veterans Memorial project that expands on previous work done by local residents and community organizations. The dedication ceremony is set to take place on July 5, 2014 at 2 p.m.
Richard lives in Milton with his wife, Phyllis, and has six children: Tiffany (Greg) White, Durant, IA; Shannon (Matt) Juckett, Evansville; John (Hilary) Fry, Corona, CA; Tracey (Lee) Morehart, Milton; Ashley Fry (Dan Nelson), Middleton; and Delaney (Michael) Blabaum, Janesville. He also has 16 grandchildren.
PARADE THEME AND REGISTRATION
Registration forms to participate in the 2014 Milton Independence Day Parade, presented by Air Products, are now available at Milton City Hall, 430 E. High Street, Suite 3, and on the City of Milton website (www.milton-wi.gov ). The parade will take place on July 4, 2014 at 1 p.m. The Milton Independence Day Parade theme this year is “Honoring America’s Heroes.”
In an effort to assist with planning for the event, participants are asked to submit completed applications to City Hall by noon on June 20, 2014. In the interest of animal safety and to comply with requirements from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, parade entries with horses will be required to show documentation of the current Coggins test during parade line up on July 4th in order to participate in the parade. All motorized vehicles must be driven by a licensed driver. Parade officials will ask to see proof of a valid driver license during the parade line up on July 4th.
The Celebrate Milton Committee is also looking for volunteers to help at the parade by lining up parade participants. If you are interested, please contact Inga Cushman at 868-6900 or by e-mail at icushman@milton-wi.gov.
For additional information about the parade contact City Administrator Jerry Schuetz at (608) 868-6900 or by e-mail at jschuetz@milton-wi.gov.
