She asked me to serve on her committee, along with Dave Willems, owner of a local marketing and promotion company, and Bob Simon, principal at Appleton West High School. It will be a tribute that is in keeping with the low-key approach the Bradley family has taken toward John's military accomplishments. A special bank account has been opened. The marker will be dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Area veterans groups, excited over the invitation to participate, will move their traditional ceremony from the front yard at the Outagamie County Courthouse to Appleton West High School and will take part in the marker dedication.
Plans call for a reception inside the school following the ceremony.
Bradley's widow, the former Betty Van Gorp of Appleton, told Peterson she plans to be at the dedication along with members of her family. She and John had eight children. Our John H. Bradley Memorial Committee will meet again Thursday. We'll talk about other proposals, including a Bradley presence in the annual Appleton Flag Day Parade and establishment of a traveling Bradley educational display, perhaps for the Appleton schools. It's our hope that John Bradley, long overlooked, albeit by his choice, will not soon be forgotten in Appleton.