Community invited to remember fallen Merrill soldier 20 years after his death

Twenty years after his death in Iraq, family and friends are gathering to remember Merrill native SPC Grant Dampier — and to begin building a lasting legacy in his name.
Grant Dampier was born July 8, 1980, in Wisconsin Rapids, and he graduated from Merrill High School, where he wrestled. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2004 and was deployed to Iraq in December 2005.
At the age of 25, Grant was killed May 15, 2006, while serving in Balad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat patrol operations. He was survived by wife Heidi (Lawrie) Dampier and three daughters, Alexis, Starr, and Kylee, as well as his parents, siblings, and other family members.
A community gathering to honor the 20th anniversary of Grant’s death will be held on June 19, 2026, at Kitchenette Park in Merrill beginning at 5 p.m. Food and refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to bring photos and memories.
The event is being organized by Grant’s widow. “I wanted to create a space for the community to come together to remember him — not only for his service and sacrifice, but for the person he was to so many of us,” Heidi said.

She described Grant as someone people gravitated toward. “Anyone who knew Grant knew he was kind, caring, funny, outgoing, and always willing to help others,” Heidi said. “He was also one of the most stubborn and strong-willed people I’ve ever known. Once he set his mind to something, he didn’t quit.”
Grant enlisted hoping to build a better future for his daughters. “He joined the military in hopes of creating a better life for his girls — whom he loved deeply and was incredibly proud to call his girls,” Heidi said.
The gathering is also a step toward something Heidi has long hoped to create. “I would like to begin working toward creating a memorial scholarship in Grant’s honor at Merrill High School,” she said. “My hope is that this scholarship will continue Grant’s legacy by supporting future students from the community he grew up in and loved.”
Memorial t-shirts in military green are available for preorder to help support the scholarship effort. Sizes S through XL are $30; 2XL and 3XL are $35. Preorders can be placed through Heidi’s Facebook page at facebook.com/heidi.dampier. Shipping is available for $8 for out-of-town orders, and local orders can be picked up at the event. A limited number of shirts will also be available at the event, with prices increasing by $5.
The event is open to anyone who wants to pay their respects — old friends, fellow veterans, classmates, or community members who simply want to honor a life cut short.
“Twenty years later, he is still loved, still missed, and still worth remembering,” Heidi said.