Carol Herrmann shares a few words about Norm Neitzke at the rededication of his flagpole on 76th and Appleton in Milwaukee.

On Nov. 7 Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager and AVP Carol Herrmann attended the rededication of a memorial flagpole plaque for World War II veteran Norm Neitzke, just in time for Veterans Day.

Carol and Marketing Communications Manager Kate Knox have been working diligently since this summer to restore the plaque on the flagpole at 76th and Appleton in Milwaukee. Norm was a longtime North Shore Bank customer and friend of Carol’s who died in 2008. A member of the famous “Band of Brothers,” he was honored with the flagpole plaque a few years ago. But it fell into disrepair after the group responsible for its maintenance, the Association for Northwest Advancement, dissolved. (Carol was a member of the association.)

Milwaukee Alderman Jim Bohl presents Norm’s wife, Lucy, with a plaque commemorating the ceremony and remembering Norm’s service.

North Shore Bank commissioned a new brass plaque, cut and engraved by Milwaukee’s RCB Awards.

Norm’s wife, Lucy, daughters and other family members attended the rededication ceremony, along with Carol and other bank representatives, Milwaukee Alderman Jim Bohl and David Latimer of Stenz-Griesell-Smith American Legion Post #449.

Carol shared Norm’s story at the event: Norm was a WWII Veteran and a dedicated patriot. He served in Easy Company of the Army’s 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Unit. He was one of the brothers commemorated in Stephen Ambrose’s bestseller Band of Brothers. After the war, he returned home to Wisconsin, raised a family and opened Tri-County Insurance Agency. He partnered with North Shore Bank on several projects for the community, and he and Carol worked together personally on a number of these.

Norm’s family — including Lucy and his daughter and granddaughter — stand next to the rededicated flagpole with Jim Bohl and the American Legion’s David Latimer.

David Latimer closed the ceremony with a short speech and then led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward, Carol invited attendees to gather and enjoy refreshments at the Milwaukee Capitol branch.

Employees who attended the ceremony gather at the Milwaukee Capitol branch afterward. Pictured are Shorewood Assistant Branch Manager–Sales Stefanie Sykora, Milwaukee Capitol PB Ruthie McDowell, Carol Herrmann, Senior VP of Retail Banking Steve Steiner and Wauwatosa Branch Manager Mary Rose Balzer.

What an honor it is for North Shore Bank to be able to remember a veteran’s service and to keep Norm’s spirit alive in one of our communities! Many thanks to Carol, Kate and the others who helped make this ceremony a reality. Below are some photos of Norm from our archives, from a few of the many occasions when he worked with or visited the bank:

Norm posed for this shot with the Pewaukee staff in 2003. From left to right, pictured are: Linda Svehlek, Milly Andorfer (now retired), Anne Kagerah, Kathy Johnson, Rosanne Pulvermacher, Patty Muehl and Marge Welch.

The bank asked Norm to ride in a few parades over the years.

Norm attended the grand opening of our Sussex branch and signed copies of Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers for guests.

Norm posed with Sussex staff and guests at the branch’s grand opening.