"Friends of the Highground" Annual Dinner
Thursday, March 5th, 2015 -- 9:20 AM
-Over 100 donors, up from 68 in 2014, were invited to attend the annual "Friends of The Highground" dinner that was held in February at Fannies Supper Club.This dinner is a way of thanking those generous donors who support The Highground with cumulative annual donations in excess of $1000. After a warm welcome by Kirk Rodman, Volunteer General Manager and an invocation by Pastor Al Houts, a delicious dinner was enjoyed by those in attendance. Nine of the thirteen Board Members were in attendance to thank the donors as they each were presented with a beautiful plaque. This is the eleventh year The Highground has presented plaques to those meeting the $1000 minimum donation. Each year a new picture plaque is created to present to the donors.
This year, donors as far away as Texas were able to enjoy the banquet. Only two have acquired all eleven plaques, thank you WCCN and Dr. John Scaletta! You have not missed one year of support to The Highground Veterans Memorial Park since implementation of this recognition.
WCCN generously announces many Highground events, bringing more and more visitors to the park each year, plus allowing the Ride to Remember Motorcycle Rally to utilize WCCN's parking lot; while Scaletta has contributed to many different needs over the years. His 2014 contribution supported the new Welcome Center and purchased PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, books that are given to those in need who come to The Highground Park. Over 700 books have been distributed free to those needing this valuable information because of Scaletta's generous donation.
Seeing a larger and larger need for the PTSD information, the Wausau and La Crosse Vet Centers have partnered with The Highground to provide counselling services to veterans and their families in 2015 on a weekly basis at the Park.
In 2014 the following received recognition for their continued support of The Highground Veterans Memorial Park:
11th Year Recognition
Kevin & Peggy Grap, WCCN
Dr. John Scaletta
10th Year Recognition
Joan Jungwirth
9th Year Recognition
Leon Meidam
Randy Meyer
Jerry Simon
Jerry & Alice Smith
8th Year Recognition
Joan Cervenka
John Lynch?Buggs' Place
Verne Vollrath
7th Year Recognition
Listeman Foundation
Walter Tollefson
VFW Mar-Lin Post 10203
Tom & Anita Werthman
6th Year Recognition
City of Neillsville
Clark Electric Cooperative
James & Susan Fox
Jakel Plumbing, Heating & Electrical
Gary Karczewski
Mike & Jody Olson
5th Year Recognition
Jim Braatz
Hardee's Cougar Enterprise
Michael & Joyce Huebsch
Steve & Karen Maddox
Andy Rueth
VVA Chapter 639
Wes Waterman
Lucinda Zimmer
4th Year Recognition
Adler-Clark Electric Com. Found.
Stanton & Connie Braun
Dennis & Sharon Herzberg
Joyce & Thomas Hoffman
Ind Hardee's Franchisee Assoc
Mark & Celeste Kaufman
Dave Sharretts
Robert & Caryl Solberg
Team Far
Gary & Kay Weirauch
3rd Year Recognition
Citizens State Bank of Loyal
Doris Dux
Mike & Kathy Gleisner
Maggie Mae & Roger Hilliard
Dan & Sue Kalepp
David Kemp
Skip & Deb Klabon
Amy Melvin
John & Blanca Morrow
Donald & Noreen Schmidt
Steve Swanson
2nd Year Recognition
Abbotsford Story
Robert & Gloria Beyer
Randy Blackorbay
Curt Braatz
Robert Brandt
Joel & Janie Brockman
Chilson Subaru
DAV Wm F. Speel Chapter 18
Bill & Kathy Flemal
Brandon & Amanda Hensiak
Leroy & Taylor Johnson
Dick & Verla Lysy
1st Year Recognition
Accuracy Plus
Al Muth Harley-Davidson
American Legion Post 53-Eau Claire
American Legion Riders B.O.G. Ride
Lee & Kathleen Anderson
Ashland Ford Chrysler
David Backstrom
Bemis
Michele Benson
John Blank
Jim Botts
Central Concrete Cutting, Inc.
Charter Bank-Eau Claire
Julie Diesing
Gross Motors, Inc.
Hefko Floral
Phil & Julie Henneman
Al & Janice Houts
Kimberly Knudsen
Paul Kokosz
Kwik Trip-Neillsville
Dave Laffe
Land O' Lakes
Nick & Janet Lesar
John Myers
Nam Knights Tundra Chapter
Nick Stuttgen Memorial Fund
Ross & Sally Olson
Dave Reimer
David Rude
Michael Rude
Lorraine Short
Romaine & Tammy Smith
Ken & Audrey Stuczynski
Steve & Karen Swader
Thrivent Financial
VFW Eau Claire Post 305
VFW Post 8653 Howard S Schmid
Pat Williams
Nicolet National Bank
Alan & Martha Palmer
Cole Peterson
Ratsch Engineering
Andy & Nikki Smith
Mary Jane Troudt
Arlene Turner
The evening ended with Kirk Rodman highlighting 2014's accomplishments and presenting 2015's goals. 2014 marked the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of The Highground Veterans Park and 2014 proved to be a great year. A highlight of 2014 was having the three walls at The Highground all at the same time bringing a record number of visitors and volunteers during a one week period to The Highground! (The Wall that Heals, the Canadian Vietnam Wall and the Wall of Remembrance)
The Board of Directors' goal list for 2015 continues to have, on the top of the list, the Endowment Fund growth needed to sustain the park in the future. The Work Week will include site work for the "Welcome Center", now that the Board has approved design plans. Other goals include the continuation of the Wisconsin Persian Gulf Tribute construction and a Military Working Dog Tribute; and the completion of the lower restroom facility in the educational/picnic area, helping a Life Scout, Dominic Kuhn, obtain the highest designation of Eagle Scout.
Events expand and are added each year, such as Diversity Day, which is now two days in 2015, an additional Fun Run motorcycle route has been added to Memorial Day, expansion of the Eastern Bicycle Route is being included due to the increased interest in The Highground activities, plus 30+ other events open to the public.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.