Merrill residents honored veterans on National Wreaths Across America Day

Local residents took part in National Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day on Dec. 14, 2024, in a heartfelt tribute to fallen veterans. The northern Wisconsin National Veterans Cemetery in Harshaw was one of 4,909 locations where wreath-laying ceremonies took place. The event, which honors veterans, included Master of Ceremonies Commander Casey Crump, Ret. U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; presentation of colors by the American Legion Riders, District 11; and an invocation by Rev. Charles Sheffler. The American Legion baseball team, Rhinelander Post 7 Rebels, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jake Kriesel sang the National Anthem.
Guest speaker Rev. Sheffler spoke on this year’s theme, “Live With Purpose.” Wreaths representing all branches of service, POW/MIA, and Medal of Honor recipients were placed, including those presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1638 members Dennis and Kathy Palazzo and Auxiliary members Denni Radloff and Cathy Dornbrack.
The ceremony concluded with a three-round volley by the Northwoods Honor Guard and the playing of Taps by Ginny Buzzell.
As family members and volunteers placed wreaths on graves, each veteran’s name was said aloud in a tribute to their life and service. The wreaths were not placed to “decorate graves” but to remember—not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.
A luncheon and dessert social followed at Rondele Ranch.

Local tribute

In Merrill, WAA wreaths were placed on the graves of Army Sgt. Ryan Jopek and Army PFC Grant Dampier, both killed in action in 2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This year, Jopek’s father highlighted another local soldier, Army PFC Walter Waschick, who was killed in action at age 18 and is buried in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, asking if he could be honored with the placing of a wreath on his grave in 2025.
With the help of St. Francis Parish Secretary Kris Leggett, Mary Ingman located Waschick’s grave and paid tribute to him in 2024. She took this year’s WAA Wreath that she had placed on her own father’s grave, Einar H. Ingman, Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient, and placed it on Walter Waschick’s grave.
“My father would have wanted this wreath shared with Army PFC Waschick, who was Merrill’s first casualty in the Vietnam War,” Ingman said. “As I placed the wreath, I said, ‘Today I place a wreath on the grave of an American hero, Walter Waschick. Thank you for your service, from a grateful nation.’”

Supporting the mission

“This event would not be possible without the support of volunteers, wreath sponsors, and the many businesses and organizations that contribute each year,” Ingman said.
Nationally, three million wreaths were placed in 2024. The program continues to grow, with next year’s National Wreaths Across America Day scheduled for Dec. 13, 2025. Wreaths may be sponsored online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/WINWNC or by mailing a check to Wreaths Across America, P.O. Box 249, Columbia, ME 04623. Donations should include “WI0048/WINWNC” in the memo line.
For more information, contact Mary at 715.612.2196 or Bob at 715.360.2390.
The mission of Wreaths Across America remains: “Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the value of freedom.”