If you are between Delavan and Janesville and need a respite - a moment out of the grind - if you need to just step off stage for a moment, swing down Highway 140 that runs south off of Highway 14 and stop in Avalon, Wisconsin. Past several train tracks and down on Market Street in the shadows of the huge grain towers, you will find tucked a place called The Hat Rack Tap. If you just need a moment to step back into the country, rural, agricultural village tavern, then this is your prescription. Park next to the pickup trucks, walk in and pull up to the bar. Maybe play a game of pool. You will get out of there for about six Bucks including tip if you only order a burger, fries, and a couple of Diet Pepsi's.
The Hat Rack Tap is cool with Cool Dadio. Call (608) 754 - 9779 for more details. Stop in and rack'em up, have a cold one.
This week's Wisconsin soldier to remember is Lance Corporal Richard D. Warner, age 22. Richard was killed from wounds he sustained while engaging the enemy in Babil Province, Iraq, on December 13, 2004. Lance Cpl. Warner was in 1st Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. He was a riflemen on a foot patrol when attacked by an improvised explosive device fired from a vehicle in Babil Province, Iraq. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stated Warner was a graduate of Kettle Moraine High School and joined Fox Company in January 2002. His company consists of about 185 Marines and were based in Yusufiya, Iraq. The unit includes Golf Company from Madison. The 2nd battalion was activated in May of 2004 and then deployed to Camp Pendleton, California. They arrived in Iraq in September for a tentative seven month tour of duty. Lance Corporal Warner was the 32nd Wisconsin soldier killed in Iraq since the spring of 2003.
3,874 Americans have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
464 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
28,489 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
1,781 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
82 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
6 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
124 journalists (several nationalities) have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
14 journalists (various nationalities) have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.
Soldier of the week, military casualty, and journalist casualty information sources: Committee to Protect Journalists; cnn.com; and, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
