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