Hudson’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2115 hosted an event that included live music, a silent auction, food trucks and games on Monday, for Memorial Day, at Lakefront Park in Hudson — with proceeds going to the VFW organization.

The VFW in Hudson, without a facility, currently meets in Bill's Gun Shop and Range, in a classroom near the back.

"Our focus right now is raising funds for a building, because the VFW, the American Legion Alliance and the Rotary [clubs] don’t have a home of their own. We’re going to find a place for all these service organizations in Hudson to be,” Commander Nate Haumschild said. "Right now, everybody is just camping in other places.”

In addition to speaking to the crowd, Haumschild made slushies the organization sold during the event. "It’s something everybody can like. Blue raspberry or fruit punch? Kids love them."

Also at the event: Chris Kroeze, a country singer who appeared on The Voice and finished as a runner-up, performed live at Lakefront Park’s bandshell. For Kroeze, this was his first time performing at the Memorial Day gathering in Hudson, but he’s regularly played at VFW shows around the state and he’s performed for troops overseas, per the Hudson Star-Observer. 

"Military is a big thing,” Kroeze said. "My dad is military and all that, so it’s very important for this kind of stuff [to happen].”

Junior Vice Commander Colette Murphy said she enjoys the sense of community that this event creates.

"The number of people that all came out to support us is amazing.”

Musical artists Josh Lassi, Hailey James and Sailor Jerri also performed. FitRE Group and Workhorse Land Development organized the event. For now, the VFW in Hudson can be reached at PO Box 347, Hudson, Wis., 54016, or go to vfw2115.org.

Link to original article: https://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/hudsons-vfw-rocks-out-at-lakefront-park-on-memorial-day/article_86ee7658-1c81-11ef-9d39-df9923494618.html