The Northwoods Veterans Post 1638, in Merrill, will be breaking ground for their new building at 2 p.m. on May 19, Armed Services Day. The post, which will be located on the corner of Sixth Street and Johnson Street, will serve the eight essential service organizations which include the local VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, VFW Auxiliary, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.
Volunteers are working tirelessly to raise the $2.8 million needed for the new Northwoods Veterans Post. Church Mutual donated the 4.3 acres of land which will house the new 14,376 square foot building. Other donors include the B.A. and Esther Greenheck Foundation, American Legion Post 46, VFW Post 1638, Weathershield, and Rock 94.7. One hundred percent of the donations will go towards this project.
The current building, built in 1904, has escalating maintenance, repairs, and utility costs, has limited accessibility to veterans with disabilities and is unable to provide the needed support of aging veterans.
The amenities in the new building will include a wellness room, fitness center, eight offices, four meeting rooms, an education center, kitchen, storage building, volleyball courts, and access to hiking, biking, ATV and snowmobile trails. In addition, the building will provide a home for our nation’s first United States Military Chaplains Registry.
“Our Veterans deserve so much more,” said John Rathke, Post Commander. “Our goal is to be the destination of choice for veterans, but we need the support from everyone in the community. In honor of a Veteran, you can purchase a service tag, support medallion, or glass brick or make a tax-deductible monetary gift. Our Veterans deserve an adequate facility and a special place of honor to call home. Help us help them.”