GREEN BAY PACKER FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO ACROSS THE POND VETERANS PARK

Tuesday, Nov. 2^nd, the Green Bay Foundation had their annual luncheon for the 274 charitable organizations that were chosen this year to receive a grant.  The total for all the organizations was $1 million dollars; on their website you can see the full results.  Across the Pond Veterans Park in Iron River was a recipient this year and will use their grant to install the Vietnam War Memorial that was donated to the park by the artist. Construction at the park is complete for this year and will continue again in the Spring.

Completed this year are the sidewalks and curbs, electrical service/wiring/lighting (service will be connected when the last of the equipment arrives, is installed and the “on” switch is flipped.

The Honor Wall at Across the Pond Veterans Park had 150 veterans honored Memorial Day weekend 2021 with their tile on display on the wall.  The next installation of tiles to honor veterans, deceased, living or currently serving our country is planned for Memorial Day weekend 2022 – May 28^th.  The Park is located just west of Iron River at the southeast corner of US Highway 2 and Redwine Road. The Park is open for visitors to see the wall and walk/hike the trail through the forest.  The Circle of Flags is undergoing maintenance but soon the flags of our country and all the branches of the military will be flying high again, and the solar lighting replaced with electricity for spectacular illumination.

If you know you have relatives who have served, but need information about when or where they served, there are resources available to help you gather this information and choose what you would like on their tile to honor their service to our country.  Sometimes just talking with family members will get you the information or perhaps there is some paperwork in a family history file.  Bayfield County Veterans Officer, Kevin Johnson may be able to assist you or provide another resource to help you track down information. He can be reached at 715-373-6137.  He also is available for a personal consultation with veterans or their family with any type of need or issue every Wednesday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Iron River VFW.

Tiles may be ordered online at donationbricks.com/acrossthepondveteranspark. If you want a paper form, you can e-mail acrossthepondpark@gmail.com or call Ray Kangas 715-372-4654 or Joyce Ciembronowicz at 715-372-4324.

Not a veteran, but would like a commemorative paver with your family’s name or perhaps your business’ name represented at the Park?  You can have a 12” x 12” paver made.  There are 4 levels of donor support that may be displayed on the paver – Bronze $300 – $999; Silver $1,000 – $2,499; Gold – $2,500 – $4,999; Platinum $5,000 or larger. Order forms are available online or by calling.

The Park is now 23 acres with the purchase of an additional 13 acres from Bayfield County.  All of this has been possible from generous donations and volunteers.  The work is not done yet, so your help with monetary, materials and labor donations are greatly needed and appreciated. The Board of Directors is an all-volunteer group with some veterans and others who are dedicated to helping veterans.  Anyone interested in joining the Board or just being a helper for special events and/or fundraisers is invited to give either Ray or Joyce a call.

Joyce Ciembronowicz, LeRoy Butler and Carol Reasbeck at Green Bay Foundation Luncheon Nov. 2, 2021 at the Atrium Lambeau Field.