Price County Veterans Service Commission re-elects chair, hears updates on DAV van, donations and veteran services

Douglas Moquin, chair of the Price County Veterans Service Commission, was re-elected by unanimous ballot at the commission’s March 18 meeting in the Price County Courthouse Boardroom in Phillips. Meredith Hueckman, the county clerk, conducted nominations; David Schmidt nominated Moquin and Richard Lapp seconded the nomination. The commission cast a unanimous ballot to elect Moquin and he chaired the remainder of the meeting.

The commission also elected Mitchell Surman as vice chair after Richard Lapp nominated him and the panel closed nominations by unanimous ballot on a motion from David Schmidt, seconded by Debra Metzker. The commission approved the minutes of the Nov. 19, 2025 meeting on a motion by Rosanna Bogle, seconded by Elaine Doll; the motion carried.

Elden Shier, the county veterans service officer, briefed the commission on the county DAV (Disabled American Veterans) van program. Shier said the volunteer driver application process is extensive — requiring paperwork, appointments and background checks — and noted the county can use the van once five volunteer drivers are fully qualified. The commission discussed steps to recruit and qualify volunteers so the service can operate.

Shier also reported a $700 donation from DAV Auxiliary Unit 33 to the Aid to a Needy Veteran fund and urged outreach to local posts to raise awareness of that fund. The CVSO office also distributes one food or gas card per eligible veteran each quarter, and Shier recounted coordination with Indianhead and county resources on energy assistance. Since joining the county, Shier said the office has helped place and provide furniture or monetary assistance for about four to five homeless veterans.

Commissioners discussed in-kind donations from Kimberly Clark — pallets of hygiene products — and the logistical need to identify local storage space to accept and distribute multiple pallets. The group agreed to follow up on locating storage within Price County with area posts and partner organizations.

The commission received an events calendar from staff: a Price County Veterans Summit on April 22 at the Park Falls Legion Hall (which will include Tomah VA Eligibility & Enrollment, Community Care, M2VA and Northwoods National Cemetery); a Veterans Appreciation Dinner on April 18 at Victory Christian Church in Phillips; a Veterans Outreach Expo on July 16 at the Phillips Armory; Vietnam Recognition Day March 27 at Harshaw Cemetery hosted by American Legion District 11 Legion Riders; and the State Oratorical Contest on March 28 in Ripon, where Libby Hilgart will represent District 11.

Commissioners raised wreath-laying practices (noting state and federal cemetery programs and a local Ladysmith program) and shared the VA 72-hour hotline number (844-724-7842) for veterans who must use emergency rooms. Charles Lovelace, scheduled for appointment to the commission in April, said he is eager to begin working with the group.

The commission set its next meeting for July 15, 2026 and listed future agenda items including follow-up on Kimberly Clark pallet storage, the DAV van volunteer process, donations from legions and veterans groups, an update on the Spouses of Veterans Tax Credit, suicide prevention, restaurants offering veteran discounts and a proposed bylaws amendment to add “Space Force” to Article II: Membership. The meeting adjourned at 3:54 p.m. on a motion by David Schmidt, seconded by Rosanna Bogle.