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Fifty-eight first-year contributors joined longtime supporters in bolstering the organization’s continued efforts to support Veterans and their families. 

Attendees mingle during the annual Friends Dinner

Supporters of The Highground from Wisconsin and surrounding states spent the evening of April 13, 2024, with members of The Highground Staff and Board of Directors at Castle Hill Supper Club in Merrillan, Wisconsin for the Friends of The Highground Dinner to recognize supporters for 2023.  

In his State of The Highground Address, Executive Director Chris Pettis reflected on the 2023 events and provided glimpses into 2024. Most pivotal is the ever-growing Veterans programs the nonprofit offers Veterans and their families and the great need to provide a welcoming environment for program attendees. The Highground was able to offer two new programs in 2023, the Spouses and Partners of Veterans Support Group and the military couples retreat “Operation Re-Connect.” “With the expansion, we anticipate more opportunities to offer different resources for Veterans and their families,” says Theresa Hebert. 

State of The Highground Address by Executive Director Chris Pettis

This annual recognition dinner is intended to show appreciation for the generous donors who give monetarily, provide services that save The Highground over $1,000 or assist in raising over $1,000 in the year prior to the event.  

Of the 200 individuals and organizations that were recognized, The Highground welcomed 30 first-year contributors. They were joined by faithful advocates Dr. John & Rebecca Scaletta, Donald Quicker and Central Wisconsin Broadcasting (WCCN/WKPG). These champions have supported the Highground for many years, including the 20 years that this recognition dinner has been around. 

The Highground WWII Globe Tribute was chosen as the image for the 2023 award certificate and as tradition guides, the “Spirit of The Highground” awards were presented to four individuals for not only their 2023 contribution but also for their ceaseless devotion through their volunteer service throughout the year. The “Spirit” recipients were Scott Schultz, Laura Culver, Jim Henchen and Dennis & Sharon Herzberg.  

The Highground staff is a very small but tight group of ten that would not be able to accomplish so much without the endless help of so many volunteers and contributors. The Highground Staff and Board of Directors are eternally grateful for the ongoing support.

Please see the list of those who received the “Friends of The Highground” certificates below.

For upcoming events and more, visit The Highground’s website at thehighground.us or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.

The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456. thehighground.us.


Recipients by Year:

20 YEARS 
Central WI Broadcasting
Don Quicker
John & Rebecca Scaletta   

18 YEARS  
Randy Meyer
Jerry Simon   

17 YEARS  
Tom & Rose Miller   
Jerry & Alice Smith   

16 YEARS  
Marguerite Listeman Foundation   
Joan Cervenka   
Walter Tollefson   

15 YEARS  
City of Neillsville   
Jakel Plumbing, Heating & Electrical, Inc.   
VFW Mar-Lin Post #10203   
Gary & Rita Karczewski   

14 YEARS 
Michael & Joyce Huebsch   
Wes Waterman   
Braatz Family   

13 YEARS  
Dennis & Sharon Herzberg   
Joyce Hoffman   
Steve & Karen Maddox   
Dave Sharretts   

12 YEARS  
Citizens State Bank of Loyal   
Michael & Kathy Gleisner   
Mike & Jody Olson   
Steve Swanson   
Gary & Kay Weirauch   

11 YEARS  
BP Drescher Oil Company Joel & Marla Raine   
James Feneli   
Bill & Kathy Flemal   
Kathy & Bernie Heit   
Verla Lysy   
Cole Peterson   

10 YEARS  
Michele Benson   
Bob & Gloria Beyer   
Julie Diesing   
Lief & Kimberly Knudsen   
Paul Kokosz   
Nick & Janet Lesar   

9 YEARS  
John Blank   
Roy & Ginny Franz   
Bonnie Henchen   
Lorraine Short   
Steve & Karen Swader   

8 YEARS  
Chilson Automotive   
Fred & Kim Berg   
George & Betty Blauvelt   
Jay Froh   
Joel & Heidi Hazzard   
Jim & Nina Henchen   
Mary Kokosz   
Sue Kokosz   

7 YEARS  
American Legion Loyal Post # 175   
Gross Motors, Inc   
Wuethrich Foundation, Inc.   
Lee & Kathleen Anderson   
Duane Schwab   

6 YEARS  
City of Neillsville Public Works Dept   
VFW Lakeland #7898   
Renee Bernard   
Mary Boortz   
Kathy & Joseph Houzner   
John & Donna Koutre   
Juli McNeely   

5 YEARS  
American Legion Riders Assn. District 2   
American Legion Willis-Chapel Post #306   
Neillsville Chamber of Commerce   
VFW Dr G G Mueller Post #10452   
James & Diana Buechner   
Ray & Pat Maertens   
Ralph & Peggy Ottum   
Terri & Michael Stott   
Shannon Wachuta   

4 YEARS  
Combat Parts, Inc.   
Marine Corps League McCullen Kimpel Det #552   
MDRT   
Donald Bonack   
Larry & Pat Dessner   
David & Patricia Dvorachek   
Rodney Hawkins   
Elaine Quast   
Carol Shea   
Adel Thiede   

3 YEARS  
American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post 469   
American Legion Brask-Fossum-Janke Post #185   
American Legion Carl Nelson Post #324   
American Legion Haugen-Richmond Post #73   
American Legion Phaneuf-Vanasse Post #111   
AMVETS Elmo Dahl Post #1   
BS of Wisconsin, LLC   
Chili Implement Co.   
Clark County Economic Development Council   
Loyal Car Show   
Marawood Construction, Inc.   
MEC, Inc.   
Partners Bank of Wisconsin   
Russell’s of Neillsville   
State Bank Financial – Marshfield   
Unity Bank – Augusta   
VFW Craig S. Olson Post #8514   
William J. & Gertrude R Casper Foundation   
WWIS Radio   
Don Anibas   
Bob & Kathy Barth   
Dale Bauer   
Carl Bogar Jr.   
James & Janice Brady   
Scott Church   
Richard & Laura Culver   
Leonard & Connie Frye   
Wayne Guenther   
Marge Hansen   
Wade Hartung   
Lori Hebbe   
Randy Henchen   
Gregory Ichel   
Scott Kissinger   
Jim & Christine Krizenesky   
Richard & Rebecca Mauch   
Michael Platt   
Wayne & Bonnie Short   
Don Wittmann

2 YEARS 
Ag County Farm Credit Services   
American Legion Sura-Wiersgalla Post #186   
Grotefeld Hoffmann    
Hansen’s IGA   
The National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor   
Trempealeau County Council of the American Legion   
VFW District 3 Riders   
VFW Edgar Memorial Post # 10187   
VFW Springbrook-Trego-Earl Post #10568   
Avis Becker   
Jerry Christensen   
Mary & Pat Donahue   
Mary & Ed Haupt   
Joyce Jansen   
Joyce Jarvis   
Tom Kauth   
William & Marcia Laney   
Thomas Olk   
Don & Judith Pentz   
Harold & Carol Rand   
Ike Rebout   
Cynthia Schultz   
Victoria Shoemaker   
Cedric & Cindy Thayer   
Fred & Bonnie Vance   
Melanie & Elizabeth Wrensch   
Larry Kizewski & Charlotte Hense   
Robert Seidle & Renee Konter   

1 YEAR 
American Legion Riders District 7   
Central WI USMC Birthday Ball   
Clark County Health Department   
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 45   
Elks Lodge #665   
Fort Community Credit Union   
Fox Lake Correctional Institute   
JBC Screenprinting & Embroidery   
VFW Riders District 7   
WI Department of Veterans Affairs   
Wipfli LLP   
Richard Cooper   
Dalton Durst   
Dennis & Traci Fick   
Chad & Rhonnie Garcia   
Barbara Jackan   
Eric Johnson   
Mark & Betty Konichek   
Kim Landwehr   
Kenneth Lanier   
John & Ann Napierala   
Al & Janet Raatz   
Anthony & Grace Rich   
Wiley Sparks   
Patricia & Michael Tatro   
Karen Voigt   
Ronald & Janet Vold   
Jerome & Sharon Woelfel