Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schreiner, Bauer, Marion, Gerold, Regan, Mitchel, Fuehrer, Odegard, VerKilen, Maddox
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/29/2016
Schreiner Honored At The Highground (Korean Stone Ceremony - 11 June 2016)
Schreiner Honored At The Highground Korean Stone Ceremony
Friends and family members attending the Korean War Tribute Stone Placement Ceremony at The Highground June 11, honoring Lawrence (Popeye) J. Schreiner Sr. of Marshfield pose for a group photo. Shown (l-r) John Gerold, Geri Gerold, Jeff Bauer, Lisa Bauer, Jed Bauer, Mary Ann Bauer, Jim Bauer, Linda Bauer, Dawn Fuehrer, Betty Odegard and Jon Marion; Jennifer Regan-Mitchell is missing from the photo. (Contributed Photo)
A Korean War Tribute Stone Placement Ceremony took place June 11 at The Highground Veteran’s Memorial Park near Neillsville.
Friends and family members came to honor Lawrence “Popeye” J. Schreiner Sr. of Marshfield. Attending the dedication were Jim and Linda Bauer, John Marion, Jeff and Lisa Bauer, Mary Ann Bauer, Jed Bauer, John and Geri Gerold, Jennifer Regan-Mitchel, Dawn Fuehrer and Betty Odegard.
Lawrence was born in Park Falls Feb. 6, 1923, and grew up on a farm in northern Wisconsin during the Great Depression. He had seven siblings. He made it through the sixth grade before leaving school to help his mother on the farm.
Lawrence was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1948. He served occupation duty in Japan after WWII ended.
In March 1949, Lawrence sailed back across the Pacific to the United States after his tour of duty. As a reservist, he was called back in 1950 to serve in Korea.
He landed in Pusan Harbor in South Korea. He fought in the big battle at Wonju and was stationed on the front lines all around and near the 38th parallel, crossing the 38th parallel four times.
Lawrence was promoted to 1st Sergeant. His tour of duty lasted through February 1951. He was on inactive reserve from 1951 to 1953.
Lawrence returned to Marshfield and married Lorna Jane VerKilen June 25, 1952. They had two children: Linda and Larry Jr.
He went on to be a painter. He also sold Christmas trees in the winter.
Lawrence owned a cabin at Rock Dam in Clark County from 1962 to 1997, where he developed many cherished friendships. In the final years of his career, he owned and operated Popeye’s Pub in Marshfield, working until he was 81. He passed away Dec. 2, 2015, at the age of 92.
The Highground is a 155-acre manned veteran’s memorial park that pays tribute to the dead, and honors the survivors, their service and their sacrifices.
The Highground fulfills its mission of healing and education by bringing past lessons into hopes for the future. Its volunteers keep a focus on healing for all who come, regardless of the name of the battle which left the scars.
The park includes tributes to veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam as well as a National Native American Vietnam Memorial, Wisconsin Persian Gulf Tribute, a Meditation Garden, a handicap accessible tree house, an exact replica of the Liberty Bell, Effigy Mound, a Learning Center (with a library) and four miles of hiking trails.
Located three miles west of Neillsville on USH 10, the park is lighted and open to visitors year-round, 24 hours a day.
Its motto is: “More than for all veterans, more than for those who did not come back, The Highground is a place for all of us.”
Incorporated in 1984 as the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project, Inc., this grass-roots effort continues only because of the dedication of countless individuals, families, organizations, and businesses who have given of their time, talents and financial resources.
Volunteers and contributors are the heart of The Highground, which seeks to be a place for everyone.
Stone Placement ceremonies are scheduled each month April thru October. For more information, contact The Highground via email at highgrnd@tds.net or by calling 715-743-4224.
Visit the website at www.thehighground.org and “Like” them on Facebook.
Jim and Linda Bauer (daughter of Lawrence “Popeye” J. Schreiner Sr.) and Steve Maddox (right) member of The Highground Board of Directors, are shown at the Korean War Tribute Stone Placement Ceremony honoring Schreiner held June 11 at The Highground. (Contributed photo)
