MENOMONIE – Despite a bit of rain, a heartfelt crowd gathered on Saturday, June 14, at the Dunn County Veterans Memorial in Downtown Menomonie for the annual Flag Day Ceremony, co-hosted by Downtown Menomonie, Inc. and the Community Foundation of Dunn County.

Emceed by Dana Brunstrom, the ceremony included the induction of seven new bricks honoring local veterans: David L. Bachmann, Robert A. DeLong, Roy M. Larson, Larry Allen Putman, James W. Wildner, John C. Wildner, and Judy M. Wildner. Thirty members of the Ludington Guard Band played a musical salute to the armed forces.

This year’s event marked a special milestone – the 25th anniversary of the Dunn County Veterans Memorial. To commemorate the occasion, nearly 700 names engraved on memorial bricks were read aloud, a tradition observed every five years. Readings of the names were shared by several community veterans, including Becky Kneer and Sara Cardwell, lending a deeply personal touch to the proceedings.

Bricks honoring veterans for the 2026 Flag Day ceremony can be purchased now through February 1, 2026. Each brick is $250, and proceeds help preserve this important local landmark. For more information, call the Community Foundation of Dunn County at 715-232-8019.

The Community Foundation and Downtown Menomonie extend their sincere thanks to all who braved the weather and helped make this year’s ceremony meaningful and memorable.