Veterans find friendship and understanding at weekly coffee gatherings

Every Thursday morning at Pine Ridge Restaurant in Merrill, a group of veterans gathers for what might look like an ordinary coffee meeting. But for these men and women who’ve served their country, it’s something much more meaningful.
The Merrill area Veterans Coffee and Conversation group meets weekly, providing a space where veterans can connect with others who understand their experiences. The informal gatherings have grown to include 41 official members on their Facebook page, though attendance varies from week to week and many veterans don’t even have Facebook, so that number isn’t an accurate representation.
The group started as the brainchild of area veterans Steve Sabatke, Paul Russell, and Dick Knospe.
The primary reason for the meetings is support, Dick said. “That was the idea. You get together with veterans, because a lot of times, you know, you’re alone and in your own cycle with your own family, and they don’t have a clear understanding.”
The group welcomes veterans from all eras and branches of service. Jim, who works with Honor Flight and has been involved with the coffee meetings, emphasized that all veterans are welcome regardless of when or where they served.

“We’re all military,” Jim said. “Whoever, wherever you served, whatever you did, we’re all military.”
The meetings begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and continue with casual conversation over coffee. While the discussions can range from sharing information about veteran resources to lighter topics, the real value lies in the camaraderie.
One veteran who has attended the gatherings shared a story that illustrates the impact these connections can have. After going on an Honor Flight as a guardian, he discovered his uncle had served in the Army—something he’d never known in his entire life until 2018.
“He didn’t want to consider himself a veteran,” he said “‘All he did’ was logistics in Turkey for two years.” His uncle had minimized his contribution. Many veterans do this, as well, minimizing their contribuion in the military because they didn’t see direct combat. But this veteran was convinced to go on an Honor Flight. “[And] he hasn’t stopped talking about it in two years.”
The veterans in this group emphasized that everyone who served is a veteran, and every single person contributed to the health and well-being of those on the front lines, even if they didn’t see direct combat. They were a team then, and they are still members of that same team now.
The group also serves as an informal resource network. Members share information about VA benefits, local veteran services, and upcoming events. Jim mentioned the Marathon County Veterans Coalition, which meets quarterly and includes representatives from about 50 different veteran-focused organizations.
“The whole impetus behind this is to cut all the red tape in support of veterans,” Jim said about the coalition. “So you come into my office and say, ‘This is what I need.’ I say, ‘I don’t do that, but I know who does.’”
For some veterans, particularly those who served in conflicts that received less public attention, the gatherings provide validation for their service. One veteran who served during Desert Storm but asked not to be identified explained the challenges faced by veterans from that era.
“It’s hard to explain the war and no one’s going to remember,” he said. “No one’s going to remember. It’s hard, you know?”
For these veterans, the weekly coffee gatherings offer something that can’t be found elsewhere—understanding from people who’ve walked a similar path.
Veterans immediately recognize one another, some of those in attendance said. “How?” I asked.
“We’ve got a certain look about us, the way we walk,” Jim said. “The way they walk, the way you talk, usually your little gray hair, the way you watch their eyes. ... Observing.”
The group’s growth reflects a broader need for veteran connection. Members mentioned another similar group that meets in Rothschild, which started with four veterans 15 years ago and now includes more than 750 members, with 80 to 110 attending weekly meetings.
“We’re gonna blow right out of this room,” Jim said, noting the potential for growth in the Merrill group. “At some point we’re gonna be in there,” he pointed, referring to the restaurant’s main dining area.
The meetings are open to any veteran with an honorable discharge (DD-214). Those interested can find the group on Facebook by searching for “Merrill Area Veterans Coffee and Conversation” or simply show up Thursday mornings at Pine Ridge Restaurant.