18th Annual "Friends of The Highground" Dinner
Saturday, April 16th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM
Over 110 supporters gathered with The Highground staff and board members to be recognized at the 18th annual “Friends of The Highground” Dinner.
This yearly dinner is a way for The Highground to thank the generous donors who support the organization through cumulative annual donations of more than $1,000.
The event was held on March 19 at El Norteno Mexican Grill in Curtiss, where guests enjoyed fellowship and a savory American/Mexican dinner. The Highground is grateful to the staff at El Norteno for their hospitality and for going above and beyond to help make the event a success.
After a warm welcome by Chris Pettis, Executive Director, and an invocation by Bill Flemal, longtime motorcycle route leader for the Honor Ride and Ride to Remember®, Board Member Wayne Guenther presented the “Missing Service Member Table”.
Board Members Steve Maddox, Bob Barth, Don Quicker, Gary Weirauch and Michele Benson read the names of 100 Wisconsin KIAs from the Global War on Terror, Korean War and Vietnam War.
To begin the award ceremony, volunteer and contributor Skip Klabon offered a touching retirement speech for Kay Anason, Donation Coordinator. The Highground thanks Kay for her 13 years of dedication to the business and wishes her happiness in her new adventure.
Kay also said a few words. She thanked everyone for all they do for The Highground and how they were a part of raising her family. She also said she was looking forward to their first summer vacation, ending with “I reached for a hand and you grabbed my heart. God Bless!”
A record number of first year contributors joined the growing list to be recognized. Three supporters have acquired all 18 certificates—Thank you Central WI Broadcasting (WCCN/WKPG), Donald Quicker and Dr. John & Rebecca Scaletta for supporting The Highground every single year since the implementation of this recognition. The 2021 certificate depicts the peaceful Earthen Dove Effigy Mound with its corresponding Challenge Coin.
Several tables included information about Veterans programs offered by The Highground and glimpses into upcoming Museum exhibitions. The full-scale replica of the atomic bomb known as “Little Boy”, which will become a permanent exhibit, was also on display.
To conclude the evening, the “Spirit of The Highground” awards were presented to and humbly accepted by the creators of “Little Boy”—Dale Hammel of Combat Parts, Inc. (Abbotsford) and Paul Erikson of Kulas Body Shop (Abbotsford—for taking The Highground’s idea and building the exhibit piece in less than five weeks.
Also recognized were Randy Henchen of Henchen Electrical (Neillsville) for time and efforts toward switching out the Plaza lights to LED’s, reducing that monthly expense by a third.
Thanks also went out to John and Maryann Vedder, who were unable to attend, for their dedication to The Museum exhibits, providing many artifacts, information and monetary support (including the “Little Boy” atomic bomb replica project) to enhance the visitor experience.
Recipients of this special award are nominated and voted upon by the staff of The Highground, representing those who have gone above and beyond monetary works and who also have the “Spirit” of The Highground in them.
This is no easy task as there are so many volunteers, supporters and contributors that have the “Spirit of The Highground”. The small staff at The Highground is eternally grateful for the many volunteers and contributors who offer their support.
They could not accomplish as much as they do without that assistance. Veterans programs, Museum exhibits and ceremonies are free of charge because of these “Friends”. Below is the entire list of those who received the “Friends of The Highground” certificates.
On behalf of our Veterans, the Board of Directors and The Highground Staff, we thank you for your patriotic support. Your gift allows us to confidently focus on the needs of our Veterans as we continue the mission to Honor, Educate and Heal.
For years of recognition:
39 Years:
Tom & Rose Miller
18 Years:
- Central WI Broadcasting,
- Don Quicker,
- Dr. John & Rebecca Scaletta
17 Years:
Joan Jungwirth
16 Years:
- Randy Meyer,
- Jerry Simon,
- Jerry & Alice Smith
15 Years:
Marjorie Short
14 Years:
- Joan Cervenka,
- Marguerite Listeman Foundation,
- Walter Tollefson,
- Tom & Anita Werthman
13 Years:
- City of Neillsville,
- Jakel Plumbing,
- Heating & Electrical, Inc.,
- Mall Furniture of Marshfield,
- Gary & Rita Karczewski,
- VFW Mar-Lin Post 10203
12 Years:
- Jim Braatz,
- Hardee’s of Neillsville,
- Colby & Medford,
- Michael & Joyce Huebsch,
- CW & Mary Ann King,
- Wes Waterman
11 Years:
- Dennis & Sharon Herzberg,
- Joyce Hoffman,
- Steve & Karen Maddox,
- Dave Sharretts,
- Lucinda Zimmer
10 Years:
- Citizens State Bank of Loyal,
- Michael & Kathy Gleisner,
- Skip & Deb Klabon,
- Mike & Jodi Olson,
- Steve Swanson,
- Gary & Kay Weirauch
9 Years:
- Robert & Gloria Beyer,
- Curt Braatz,
- James Feneli,
- Bill & Kathy Flemal,
- Kathy & Bernie Heit,
- Verla Lysy,
- Cole Peterson,
- Joel & Marla Raine – BP Drescher Oil
8 Years:
- Michele Benson,
- Chilson Automotive,
- Clark Electric Cooperative,
- Julie Diesing,
- Kimberly Knudsen,
- Nick & Janet Lesar
7 Years:
- John Blank,
- Roy & Ginny Franz,
- Bonnie Henchen,
- Lorraine Short,
- Steve & Karen Swader
6 Years:
- Lee & Kathleen Anderson,
- Fred & Kim Berg,
- George & Betty Blauvelt,
- Mark & Lori Dawson,
- Joel & Heidi Hazzard,
- Jim & Nina Henchen,
- Kokosz Family,
- Jim & Janice Ottman,
- Dave Reimer,
- WalMart Foundation
5 Years:
- American Legion Loyal Post #175,
- David & Mary Backstrom,
- Jay Froh,
- Gross Motors, Inc.,
- Al & Kay Lamovec,
- Duane Schwab,
- VFW Lakeland #7898,
- Wuethrich Foundation
4 Years:
- Renee & Andrew Bernard,
- Mary Bootz,
- Dale Hammel/Combat Parts,
- Kathy Houzner,
- John & Donna Koutre,
- McNeely Financial Services, Inc.,
- Dave Schmitz
3 Years:
- American Legion Riders District 2,
- American Legion Willis – Chapel Post 306,
- James & Diana Buechner,
- Larry & Pat Dessner,
- Forward Bank,
- Barry Hammarback,
- Dean & Sharon Hommel,
- Ray & Pat Maertens,
- Neillsville Chamber of Commerce,
- Ralph & Peg Ottum,
- Dan Mattoon/Prestige Auto Corp,
- James Rice,
- Delmar Scanlon,
- Terri Stott,
- VFW Dr. G.G. Mueller Post #10452,
- Shannon Wachuta
2 Years:
- American Legion Phaneuf – Vanasse Post #11,
- Donald Bonack,
- David Dvorachek,
- Greg & Joy Foye,
- Kuhl Equipment, LLC,
- Land O’ Lakes,
- Janice Mayer,
- Elaine Quast,
- Carol Shea,
- Adel Theide,
- VVA Chapter 101,
- Kenneth Walz
1 Year:
Abby Bank,
Patricia Adamski,
Alliance Bank of Mondovi,
American Legion Brask-Fossum-Janke Post #185,
American Legion Carl Nelson Post #324,
American Legion Hanley-Ariss-Millin Post #5,
American Legion Mason-Lindsay Post #385,
American Legion Mead-Rath-Gutke Post #339,
American Legion Post #73,
AMVETS Elmo Dahl Post #1,
AMVETS Post #10,
Dominic Anderson,
Don Anibas,
Doris Bakker,
Bankers’ Bank,
Barth Trucking, LLC,
Bob & Kathy Barth,
Dale Bauer,
John Becker – JB Welding,
Samantha Bigalke,
Carl Bogar Jr.,
James & Janice Brady,
Troy Buddenhagen,
Donald & Nancy Campbell,
William J. & Gertrude R. Casper,
Scott Church,
Clark County Community Foundation,
CoBank,
ABC Co-op Credit Union,
Richard & Laura Culver,
Ned & Katie Derksen,
DMZ M/C,
Mary & Pat Donahue,
Arthur & Julie Elliott,
Daniel Erickson,
Kulas Body Shop,
Dorothy & Dean Evensen,
Excel Engineering, Inc.,
Festival Foods,
Daniel & Kelly Ficker,
First State Bank,
Fishing Has No Boundaries – Hayward,
Leonard & Connie Frye,
Loyal Car Show,
Gardner Cold Storage, Inc.,
David Gliniecki,
Wayne Guenther,
Nels & Nancy Gunderson,
Dwight Halfmann,
Marge Hansen,
Wade Hartung,
Joseph & Connie Havlovick,
Lori Hebbe,
Hebert Dental,
Carl Holmquist,
Crescendo Fundraising Professionals, LLC,
Maureen Jo Hornung,
Gregory Ichel,
Pamela Ironside,
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. Inc.,
Joyce Jarvis,
Kathy Johnson,
Scott & Angie Kissinger,
Jim & Christine Krizenesky,
Susan & Jerome Krofta,
Randell Kruger,
Bernard & Jean Kuehl,
Richard La Fountaine,
John & Joan Laabs,
Cynthia & Thomas Larson,
Richard & Rebecca Mauch,
MEC, Inc.,
Seth & Susan Miller,
Angela & Coty Montgomery,
Jean Moseley,
Annette Murphy,
Nam Knights Brew City Chapter, Inc.,
Northside Elevator,
Northwestern Bank,
Rachel Nowak,
Wayne Opelt,
Palmer Welcome Auto,
Partners Bank of Wisconsin,
Michael Platt,
Harold & Carol Rand,
Kenneth Roehl,
Roehl Transport, Inc.,
Russell’s of Neillsville,
David & Diane Roidt,
Sav-Rite Building Center,
Cory Schilling,
Mike Schilling,
Paul & Joann Schreiner,
Larry & Patty Schwoch,
Wayne Short,
Judith Singer,
Vernon & Joan Smith,
Sons of American Legion Lt. Ray Dickop Post #36,
State Bank Financial – Marshfield,
Mary Stevens,
Katherine Stevenson,
Strike Time Lanes,
The Pineries Bank,
Unity Bank – Augusta,
USS Frank E Evans Dd 754,
John & Maryann Vedder,
Mike & Linda Verdico,
Vets Journey Home USA, Inc.,
VFW Craig S. Olson Post #8514,
VFW Post #6550,
Margie Walker,
Ronald & Joyce Wanek,
Roger Washkovick,
Mark & Rosemarie Weber,
Carol Wedl,
Whitetails Unlimited,
WI Vietnam Veterans, Inc. Chapter 7,
Don Wittmann,
Wood Trust Bank,
Bruce Wozniak,
Dorothy Wozniak,
WWIS Radio,
James Zimmer,
Richard & Darlene Zimmerman
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.