The Wisconsin Veterans Home in King will hold its annual open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19.
The event features displays, boat rides, an arts and craft show, music and food.
New this year will be a traveling memorial called “Ultimate Sacrifice,” a 1941 Chevy pickup which is decorated with images of past wars, fallen heroes and patriotism.
Military vehicles from different eras will be on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the vehicles up close and hear stories about how they were used by veterans who operated them during their service.
Each year, owners of vintage cars attend the open house to show off their vehicles.
Visitors may walk through a Civil War encampment, which will be set up on the veterans home grounds.
Music
The Charlie Justmann Band will perform from the quadrangle bandstand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featuring the talents of local musicians, the band’s repertoire includes old standards, show tunes, sing-alongs, polkas, waltzes and rock and roll.
In the Marden Center’s Alley Five Bar and Social Room, Erling Landsverk, a vets home member and contributor to the County Post opinion page, will perform acoustic guitar.
Landsverk will play a variety of songs from big band to contemporary. He will be joined on stage by King volunteers, staff and members throughout the day.
Service booths
Veterans service organizations and community groups work together to provide numerous social, recreational and commemorative activities in King.
Known as the King Recreation Committee, these groups raise funds and provide volunteers throughout the year.
The groups will have informational booths set up during the open house.
All aboard
Clear Water Harbor will again provide free rides on an authentic sternwheeler.
Every hour on the hour, the Chief Waupaca will depart from the veterans home dock and cruise around Rainbow Lake.
There will also be rides available on pontoon boats.
Refreshments
Three brat stands, an ice cream stand and the Knights of Columbus popcorn wagon will be scattered around the campus. A bake sale is also planned.
Inside the Marden Center, King Cafe and Coffee Shop will serve sandwiches, pizza and soups. The Alley Five Bar, also in the Marden Center, will be open as well.
Facility tours
Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the grounds and facilities of the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King.
Serving nearly 700 veterans, the veterans home includes four long-term care facilities, each with its own staff of nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, activities therapists and support staff.
The lobby of each building will be open to the public, but the upper floors are reserved for members and their guests.
The Wisconsin Veterans Home comunity has its own fire and security team. Visitors can come to the firehouse and security center for brief tours during the open house.