Donors were invited and honored at The Highground’s “Friends of The Highground” recognition dinner that was held on March 14, 2020, at the American Legion Post 73 in Neillsville, Wisconsin. The weather was very cooperative this year, and those in attendance enjoyed a wonderful meal, camaraderie, and a relaxing program.
This annual dinner is held as a way to say thank you to those generous donors who support The Highground Veterans Park and programs through cumulative annual donations that exceed $1,000. The Remember Our Fallen and Mini My War displays, along with a 2020 events display, were set up for attendees to see what will be happening at The Highground.
Kay Anason, Donation Coordinator, opened the evening by welcoming everyone to the dinner. She introduced the new Executive Director, Chris Pettis, who spoke about his background and future plans. “Bull Dog” Perry then explained the meaning behind the “Missing Man Table”. Mark and Lori Dawson read a selection of Wisconsin Fallen names from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan through the present day. That was followed by an invocation given by Skip Klabon of Colby, Wisconsin. Many board members were there to thank the donors as each person was presented with a beautiful plaque depicting the rededicated Gold Star. This is the sixteenth year The Highground has presented plaques to those who have met the $1,000 minimum donation.
This year, donors and board members from all around Wisconsin and Illinois were able to attend the dinner. Only three have acquired all plaques. They have contributed every year since the recognition was introduced. The Highground is exceedingly grateful to Central WI Broadcasting–WCCN/WKPG, Donald Quicker, and Dr. John and Rebecca Scaletta for their steadfast support.
From the 2019 donor calculations, the following individuals received recognition for their continued and inspiring support of The Highground Veterans Memorial Park:
16th Year Recognition
Central WI Broadcasting
Don Quicker
Dr. John and Rebecca Scaletta
15th Year Recognition
Joan Jungwirth
14th Year Recognition
Randy Meyer
Jerry Simon
Jerry & Alice Smith
13th Year Recognition
Joan Cervenka
Marjorie Short
12th Year Recognition
Marguerite Listeman Foundation
Walter Tollefson
Tom & Anita Werthman
11th Year Recognition
City of Neillsville
Jim & Susan Fox
Jakel Plumbing, Heating & Electrical
Gary Karczewski
Mar-Lin VFW Post #10203
10th Year Recognition
Jim Braatz
Hardee’s Cougar Enterprise
Michael & Joyce Huebsch
CW and Mary Ann King
Andy Rueth
Wes Waterman
9th Year Recognition
Dennis and Sharon Herzberg
Joyce Hoffman
Steve and Karen Maddox
Dave Sharretts
Lucinda Zimmer
8th Year Recognition
Citizens State Bank of Loyal
Michael and Kathy Gleisner
Maggie Mae and Roger Hilliard–The Heartland Country Band
David Kemp
Skip and Deb Klabon
Mike Olson
Donald and Noreen Schmidt
Steve Swanson
Gary and Kay Weirauch
7th Year Recognition
Curt Braatz
Robert and Gloria Beyer
Bill and Kathy Flemal
Kathy and Bernie Heit
LeRoy Johnson
Verla Lysy
Cole Peterson
Joel and Marla Raine–BP Drescher Oil
Andy and Nikki Smith
6th Year Recognition
Michele Benson
Chilson Automotive Group
Julie Diesing
Kimberly Knudsen
Paul Kokosz
Nick and Janet Lesar
Karen and Steve Swader
Thrivent Financial
5th Year Recognition
Lee and Kathy Anderson
Tom Babbitt
John Blank
Mike and Amy Bodoh
James Feneli
Roy and Ginny Franz
Gross Motors, Inc.
Bonnie Henchen
David Reimer
Pat Watts
Dave Week
Russ & Kitty Wohlrabe
4th Year Recognition
Fred and Kim Berg
George and Betty Blauvelt
Bohl Associates, Inc.
The Cummins Foundation
Mark and Lori Dawson
Joel and Heidi Hazzard
Ho-Chunk Gaming–Black River Falls
Tom Kingsbury
Kokosz Family
Neillsville Dept of Public Works
Jim Ottman
Joel Paplham
Misty Peterson
Augie Stark Photography
Terrence Stein
Stanley Correctional Institute (SCORE)
VFW Lakeland Post #7898
3rd Year Recognition
Vernon and Gwendolyn Beloat
Mary Boortz
Ron Comer
Scott and Lori Daentl
Jay Froh
Shane Gurney
Al and Kay Lamovec
Terry Pezl, WSAU Radio
Jess Rebout
Dave and Ellen Schmitz
Duane Schwab
2nd Year Recognition
Andrew and Renee Bernard
Bernatello’s Pizza, Inc.
Jeffrey and Cherie Bignell
Tom Christian
Larry and Pat Dessner
Barry Hammarback
Randy Henchen
Phil Hiller and Hiller’s True Value
Kathy Houzner
Hardee’s of Oshkosh
Samantha Kleifgan
John and Donna Koutre
Leathernecks Motorcycle Club
Marine Corp League McCullen Kimpel Det #552
Marshfield Clinic
Michael W Stinson Nam Knights–Tundra Chapter
Neillsville Chamber of Commerce
Delmar Scanlon
Wendi Schmidt
Ellie Seymour
Simplicity Credit Union
The Buzzed Bus
Shannon Wachuta
Bonnie Wiater
1st Year Recognition
Ag County Farm Credit Services
Am Leg Fletcher Pechacek Post #121
Am Leg Riders Post #209 District 1
Randy, Carol and Caitlin Anason
Ronald Bellmare
Dan & Susan Berger
Christi Mitchell–Blue Bayou Pub
James and Diana Buechner
Linda Czlapinski
Enbridge
Forward Bank
James Griepentrog
Red Higgins
Gloria Johnson
Betty Kienast
Judy Lillie
Lulich Implement, Inc.
Ray and Pat Maertens
Traci Messner
Allison and Paul Osmak
Ralph and Peg Ottum
Leroy Peterson
James Rice
Harold Schmitt
Schreiber Foods Richland Center East
Henry Smith
Ralph Smrecek Sr
Stanley and Kathy Soderquist
Cyril Spangler
Terri Stott
VFW Dr Mueller Post #10452
VVA Dane Co Chapter #220
Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp
Russell and Nancy Young–Eagle Tire Center
Zacho Sports Center
Gary Weirauch, Board of Director Vice Chair, offered a heartfelt thank you to Jim Fox along with a plaque for his years of dedication to The Highground Board of Directors. Jim became a board member in 2006, and has spent many hours supporting efforts and sharing his expertise. Jim and his wife Susan also spend endless hours making the Vietnam colored keychains that are given to every Vietnam Veteran who visits the park. We believe they have donated more than 50,000 keychains.
A special “Spirit of the Highground” award, chosen by the staff is presented to someone who they feel has gone above and beyond and who also has the “Spirit” of The Highground in them. This year, the award was humbly accepted by John Myers of Eau Claire and Robert Barth of Neillsville. Although there are many people who embody the Spirit of The Highground, the staff wanted to keep with the gravity of the Gold Star Tribute rework and the dedication of these gentlemen to ensure the Gold Star was completed in time to make August 24, 2019, a very special night for everyone.
Events grow and others are added each year due to the increased interest in The Highground activities. The Park, Museum Exhibits, and many of our events are open to the public free of charge because of our friends. Contributors and Volunteers are the heart of The Highground. The Highground’s small staff could not do what they do without them. THANK YOU.
For event updates and more, visit our website Calendar of Events and follow us on Facebook.
For donation information, please call Kay at 715-743-4224 or send an email to donations@thehighground.us.