WABENO – One hundred ten military veterans enjoyed a well-deserved day of recognition, golf, fellowship, food and prizes on Monday, August 31, 2026. Wabeno Lions Club member and veteran Chuck Enders organized the event, which included an opening ceremony and golf outing at Nicolet Country Club in Laona, followed by a steak dinner and activities at Firemen’s Park in Wabeno.
The day began with a patriotic ceremony at Nicolet Country Club. The Wabeno American Legion provided the color guard, while Wabeno Lion Gregg Tallier sang the national anthem as the flags were raised. Pastor Howard Neider delivered a heartfelt invocation.
Special recognition was given to Bernie Miller, a 101-year-old World War II Navy veteran, and Korean War veterans Jack Kloss and Harold Recnagel. The ceremony also honored the memories of recently deceased veterans Tom “Bergie” Berghuis and Norm Heberer.
Those gathered observed a moment of silence for veterans who lost their lives in foreign wars, prisoners of war and those missing in action, as well as the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps.”
Miller officially opened the golf outing by hitting a tee shot straight down the middle of the fairway. Skip Yaeger provided fireworks to signal the shotgun start.
The outing was noncompetitive, allowing each group to play by its own rules and enjoy a relaxed day on the course. Numerous hole prizes were awarded later that evening.
The celebration concluded with drinks and a steak dinner served by the Wabeno Lions Club to veterans, their spouses and guests at Firemen’s Park. Approximately 135 meals were prepared and served by the club’s hardworking steak-fry and serving crews. Volunteers also handled setup, bartending, prize presentations and cleanup.
Tallier and Enders kept the evening moving as they presented golf and door prizes. Every veteran received a door prize sponsored by area service organizations, businesses and individuals.
The Wabeno Lions Club thanked the event’s sponsors: Laona Lions Club, Laona State Bank, Laona VFW, Lee Beverage and Randy Weigert, Nicolet Country Club, Potawatomi Carter Casino, Forest County Veterans Service Officer Robb Koplien, Wabeno Bowl and Rusty Harter, Wabeno American Legion, Wabeno Lions Club, and the Walbee Group and Brian Enders.
Individual donors included Gregg Tallier, Mark Coenen, Rob Schrader, Tom Barborich, Chuck Enders, Chris Witt, Tom Walkner and George Dexter.
The club also expressed its appreciation to the Lions members who helped make the event possible and offered a special thank-you to the veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Photo Credit: Wabeno Lions Club
Published on: Sep 23, 2026 at 4:03 pm