WWII veterans watch falcons get wildlife bands

WWII veteran Chuck Franzke and his wife, Bev.

Chuck Franzke of Waukesha used to fly torpedo bombers during WWII. The former Navy pilot can relate to the peregrine falcons that nest at our power plants. Franzke shared memories Wednesday about the difficulty of landing on an air carrier, relating it to the flight of a peregrine falcon swooping 200-miles an hour for prey.

WWII veteran Norman Jagow.

Franzke and fellow veteran Norman Jagow were special guests at our Port Washington power plant. They watched as falcon chicks from the plant’s nest box received their wildlife bands. Peregrine Manager Greg Septon banded four young – two
males and two females.

Jagow now has a bond with one of
the chicks, which was named
Norman in his honor. The other
chicks were named Spikey,LoriAnn and Suzie.

Veterans with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight organization have a special tie to our Port Washington power plant. Wisconsin’s WWII Pillar of Honor stands outside the plant at Coal Dock Park as a tribute to all Wisconsin veterans.

We Energies is a longtime partner and sponsor of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

Norman, Spikey, Suzie and LoriAnn.

WWII Pillar of Honor at Coal Dock Park 
in Port Washington.