News: Neillsville – Highground Veterans Retreat (Jul 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Klabon, Stark, Smith, Targonski, Reese

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/05/2017

Veterans Weekend Retreat (Fun Weekend - 2017)

Veterans Weekend Retreat to Gather for Fun, Food, and Friendship

July 7-9, The Highground Veterans Memorial Park near Neillsville, and Wilderness Adventures on Wheels near Willard, will host a Veterans Weekend Retreat to offer veterans a chance to have fun, great food, and enjoy activities such as archery, photography, an afternoon at Trinity Equestrian, and much more while in the company of fellow veterans.

The Veterans Weekend is open to any male veteran of any age and service history. A Veterans Weekend Retreat for female veterans is planned for the future. The Veterans Weekend Retreat is free for veterans because of these sponsors: Central WI Broadcasting (WCCN/WPKG), Ho-Chunk Gaming-Black River Falls, Hardee’s, Thrivent Financial, Harvey Pierre VFW #2778-Appleton, Skip and Debbie Klabon, All Season’s Sports & Archery LLC, Trinity Equestrian, Wisconsin Adventures on Wheels, and The Heartbeat Center.

Activities the veterans will be able to take part in include archery at All Seasons Sports & Archery; Trinity Equestrian horse program; photography with photographer Augie Stark; woodcarving exhibition by Henry Smith; art and writing with The Heartbeat Center.

Joining The Highground in coordinating the retreat are Franciscan Retreat leaders Fr. Conrad Targonski (22 years of service with the Navy and U. S. Marine Corp, including 7th Marine Regiment as supervisory chaplain in Operation Phantom fury, Fallujah, Iraq 2004-2005; currently chaplain at Viterbo University) and Rev. Dr. Bill Reese (chair of Religious Studies/Philosophy Department at Viterbo University; Bill is a decorated Vietnam War veteran.)

The Vet Center will be joining the retreat Friday and Saturday, for veterans seeking more information on many issues regarding PTSD, veterans’ health, housing, and financial information and more.

There will be programs held at The Highground, and at Wisconsin Adventures on Wheels as well as lots of great food (including Saturday night venison feed), nightly bonfires, relaxation, and camaraderie with fellow veterans.

The main location, and “base” of the weekend will be at Wisconsin Adventures on Wheels outdoor lodge. Veterans may stay free of charge at the Wisconsin Adventures on Wheels bunkhouse, and, at the on-site wooded are campground. The modern campground accommodates both tents and campers, and has electric hook-ups. All facilities are fully handicapped-accessible.

The Veterans Weekend Retreat will begin Friday, July 7, at 2 p.m. at Wisconsin Adventures on Wheels, and will continue through Sunday, July 9, early afternoon, concluding at The Highground. Veterans are invited to stay throughout the entire weekend, but arrangements can be made to attend for a part of the weekend.

Registration is required. To register, and for a detailed itinerary of events, contact The Highground at 715-743-4224, or: http://www.facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial .