County By County: Black River Falls Field of Honor
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – This week, we’re spotlighting the people, places, and things that make Jackson County a unique part of our area in the latest edition of our County By County series.
Black River Falls is home to a Veteran’s Memorial that was originally built by veterans who wanted to bring recognition to those who served. First News at Nine’s Dashal Mentzel has more on what the memorial means to veterans today.
Charles “Chuck” Buswell was drafted into Vietnam in 1969. Years after his service, Chuck and a few other Vietnam Veterans got together and began plans to erect a Veterans Memorial at the site of the abandoned public pool in Black River Falls. “Some of us veterans got together and decided that maybe we could do something with this. We decided that we would like to have a place of peace and quiet, and not having any military equipment or mementos of war.”
The committee was founded by Ed Nemec and Fred Stai. Once the committee received approval, Ed and Fred began the lengthy work of filling in the pool, installing stone slabs, and raising flag poles. Although Ed and Fred both recently passed away, maintenance work is still completed by the city and other community members, including Buswell. “This kind of filled a little niche for where I could come down here and do some yard work. Ants have been a perpetual problem. So, I’d come down here with my ant spray and try to take care of that. weeds also show up, so I’d bring my weed whip and take care of those nasty devils.”
It wasn’t only the veterans who were involved with the memorial. Family of veterans and community members also got involved, including Karner Blue Garden Club member Beth Hilliker, and wife of a Korean War Vet Avril Hanson, “She came on board in honor of her husband, who is a Korean veteran, and she took care of the plants. We also had at one time, arrangements, floral arrangements on each of the major monoliths, and she took care of those.”
Even though the committee turned to memorial over to the city, Buswell says that he is happy that it is still being taken care of, for future generations to see.
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