The Friends of The Highground Dinner to recognize supporters for the year 2024 was held on Saturday, April 12, at the Castle Hill Supper Club in Merrillan, Wisconsin. Over 200 invitations were sent, with just over half of the recipients attending, making it a memorable evening for supporters of the organization’s mission.
This recognition dinner acknowledges businesses, organizations and individual supporters who contribute at least $1,000 or more during the year to support The Highground. The evening featured special guests Jerry and Alice Smith, who graciously offered the invocation for the event.
Reflecting on the incredible contributions made throughout the year, Executive Director Chris Pettis said, “This past year has been nothing short of remarkable, with countless moments that reaffirm The Highground’s mission and provided a welcoming space for reflection and healing. From impactful fundraising events, heartfelt ceremonies honoring the brave men and women who served our country, to the memorable veterans retreats and programming events, every occasion has been a testament to the dedication of our team, volunteers, and the incredible support of individual contributors.”
As a show of gratitude, staff and board members of The Highground served a delectable buffet-style meal. 55 “first-year” Friends of The Highground were then recognized alongside numerous familiar faces who have supported the organization over the years.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of two individuals whose extraordinary efforts consistently surpassed expectations, earning them the prestigious “Spirit of The Highground Award.” Landon Penk of Osseo was recognized for his ongoing commitment to sharing proceeds from his county fair hog sales with The Highground, demonstrating a young passion for his family’s farming and veteran legacy. Helynn Shuffeltowski was celebrated for her thoughtful and selfless acts of volunteerism and in-kind contributions to The Highground’s daily operations. Despite the absence of the “Spirit of The Highground” recipients, the guests expressed their appreciation for their efforts with a round of applause.
Concluding the evening, veteran attendees were honored, followed by a poignant reading of 100 names of service members who perished during the Korean, Vietnam and Global War on Terrorism conflicts.
The Highground expresses deep gratitude to everyone who contributed and attended the event, as well as those who continue to support its mission to Honor, Educate and Heal. Together, we stand united in honoring the bravery and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.
Please see the list of those who received the “Friends of The Highground” certificates below.
For information on upcoming events and ways to support The Highground, explore our website or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.
Recipients by Year:
21 YEARS
Central WI Broadcasting
Don Quicker
John & Rebecca Scaletta
19 YEARS
Randy Meyer
Jerry Simon
18 YEARS
Tom & Rose Miller
17 YEARS
Marguerite Listeman Foundation
Joan Cervenka
Walter Tollefson
16 YEARS
City of Neillsville
VFW Mar-Lin Post #10203
Gary & Rita Karczewski
15 YEARS
Michael & Joyce Huebsch
Braatz Family
14 YEARS
Dennis & Sharon Herzberg
Joyce Hoffman
Steve & Karen Maddox
13 YEARS
Citizens State Bank of Loyal
Michael & Kathy Gleisner
Gary & Kay Weirauch
12 YEARS
James Feneli
Bill & Kathy Flemal
Verla Lysy
Cole Peterson
11 YEARS
Michele Benson
Bob & Gloria Beyer
Julie Diesing
Paul Kokosz
Nick & Janet Lesar
10 YEARS
Roy & Ginny Franz
Bonnie Henchen
Lorraine Short
9 YEARS
Jim & Nina Henchen
Adler-Clark Electric Cooperative
Mary Kokosz
Sue Kokosz
8 YEARS
American Legion Loyal Post 175
Gross Motors, Inc
Wuethrich Foundation, Inc.
Lee & Kathleen Anderson
Duane Schwab
7 YEARS
City of Neillsville Public Works Dept
VFW Lakeland #7898
Mary Boortz
Kathy & Joseph Houzner
John & Donna Koutre
6 YEARS
VFW Dr G G Mueller Post 10452
Combat Parts, Inc.
James & Diana Buechner
Ray & Pat Maertens
Ralph & Peggy Ottum
Terri & Michael Stott
5 YEARS
Marine Corps League McCullen Kimpel Det 552
Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
Larry & Pat Dessner
David & Patricia Dvorachek
Elaine Quast
Carol Shea
Adel Thiede
4 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
AMVETS Elmo Dahl Post 1
Loyal Car Show
Marawood Construction, Inc.
MEC, Inc.
Partners Bank of Wisconsin
Roper Trust-Frontenac Farms Off Road Park
Russell’s of Neillsville
Unity Bank – Augusta
VFW Craig S. Olson Post 8514
William J. & Gertrude R. Casper Foundation
WWIS Radio
Don Anibas
Bob Barth
Dale Bauer
Carl Bogar Jr.
Janice Brady
Richard & Laura Culver
Arthur & Julie Elliott
Leonard & Connie Frye
Wayne Guenther
Marge Hansen
Gregory Ichel
Jim & Christine Krizenesky
Richard & Rebecca Mauch
Michael Platt
Wayne & Bonnie Short
Don Wittmann
3 YEARS
Ag County Farm Credit Services
American Legion Sura-Wiersgalla Post 186
Hansen’s IGA
Kulas Body Shop
Simplicity Credit Union
Stanley Correctional Institution – Veteran Ward
VFW District 3 Riders
VFW Edgar Memorial Post #10187
VFW Springbrook-Trego-Earl Post 10568
Avis Becker
Jerry Christensen
Joseph & Connie Havlovick
Maureen Hornung
Larry & Charlotte Kizewski
William & Marcia Laney
Seth & Susan Miller
Thomas Olk
Don & Judith Pentz
Harold & Carol Rand
Ike Rebout
Kenneth Roehl
Robert Seidl
Victoria Shoemaker
Cedric & Cindy Thayer
Fred & Bonnie Vance
Melanie & Elizabeth Wrensch
2 YEARS
American Legion Riders District 7
American Legion Hutchins-Stendahl Post 191
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 45-6
Edward D. Jones & Co Custodian Window Accessory Inc.
Sav-Rite Building Center
Dennis & Traci Fick
Chad & Rhonnie Garcia
Eric Johnson
Mark & Betty Konichek
Kim Landwehr
Kenneth Lanier
John Napierala
Al & Janet Raatz
Anthony & Grace Rich
Vernon & Joan Smith
Maryann & John Vedder
Palmer & Susan Welcome
Barb Shain & Walt Wesenberg
Jerome & Sharon Woelfel
1 YEAR
Alliant Energy-Foundation
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 153
American Legion Bredlow-Ewing Post 467
American Legion Sylvan Post 44
Automated Products, Inc.
Birch Creek Town Hall
Bowl Winkles
Carson Family Gift Fund
Erickson Construction
Global Finishing Solutions
Leathernecks Motorcycle Club Road Warriors Chapter
Motorhead Mafia Car Club
R & R Flooring & Furniture
Sampson Heating & Air Conditioning
St. Croix Co Council of American Legion
Suda Plumbing Inc.
Total Electric Service, Inc.
VVA Chapter 224
VVA Racine Chapter 767
We Energies Foundation
Wisconsin Good Sam Camping Org.
Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1
Dirk Anderson
Joyce Bates
Aaron & Alyssa Bembnister
Paul & Melissa Borsheim
Joyce Bratsven
Zach Christensen
Russell Erickson
Jeffrey Fahl
Francis Fleming
Michael Friedl
Kenneth & Marybeth Herbage
Hollis & Alyce Herbison
Gary & Judy Hoth
Craig Hribal
John Jacobs
Mark & Sonja Kalscheur
Brianne Kemp
Mike Kreciak Sr.
John Kreidler
David Louden
Doug & Jennifer Mauritz
Traci Messner
Kellan Michaelson
Norbert Pabich
Landon Penk
Duane Pupp
Dave Reimer
Richard Rhiel
Helynn & Ed Schufletowski
Jeff & Cheryl Stange
Bob & Marsha Steffen
Gerry & Evonne Susa
Ron & Kay Sweet
Mike & Marcia Voorhees
Sarah Williamson
The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456.