WBHS tech students make crosses for American Legion building

Students at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School are aiding in honoring area veterans by constructing memorial crosses for the American Legion building in Birnamwood.

The project is being headed by WBHS technology education teacher Waylon Resch. A former WBHS district employee, Nancy Resch, was leading the project but passed that duty onto Waylon Resch. Waylon Resch and Nancy Resch are second cousins. Nancy Resch said she wanted to do something to memorialize veterans in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood community, because she has had multiple family members who have served.

“I always keep in the back of my mind that I am an advocate for the military,” Nancy Resch said.

Numerous people in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood community have been involved with the military, she said.

“I am blown away by how many people in the community have served,” said Nancy Resch.

The crosses are made by cutting wood, painting the wood and using a laser to engrave names, about 130 crosses in all.

“We are making these as a memorial for those veterans who have passed away,” said Waylon Resch.

The crosses will each include the name of the veteran being memorialized, the branch that they served in and the years that they served.

The crosses will be displayed in the school yard as well as the yard of the American Legion building.

Waylon Resch said that this would be a positive addition to a community as patriotic as Wittenberg-Birnamwood.

“Having a memorial for veterans makes everyone in the community feel good,” said Waylon Resch. “We are honoring their service … These crosses make veterans proud, and it teaches the youth about our history.”

Nancy Resch said that youth within the community are becoming more curious of the history surrounding local veterans, and the project has been well received.

“We have had a lot of people locally that inquire about getting a cross made for a family member,” she said. “Multiple people say that they are honored that one of their family members is being honored.”

She also said that the students’ contribution to the project has worked well because it brings their attention to those who have served and fallen.

The American Legion made a $250 donation to help with expenses on wood, paint and other materials needed for the project.

The finished crosses will be housed at the American Legion Building in Birnamwood and will be displayed on the lawn as well as at the school yard.