WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- The Wood County Veterans Memorial Committee will host a ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Veterans Day, to honor two men who have been added to the memorial and dedicate 40 legacy stones placed on the Wood County Courthouse grounds.

Veterans Day was established to commemorate the ending of World War I, and later it became a day to honor men and women who have served in the Armed Forces during war time and peace time.

The names of Grant Dampier and Robert Collins were added to the memorial. Dampier was killed in action in 2006 in Iraq. He attended Howe Elementary School and East Junior High School in Wisconsin Rapids before his family moved from the area. Collins served in Vietnam and died as the result of Agent Orange. He and his wife, Shirley, moved to Wisconsin Rapids when they retired.

"This is a living memorial, and it keeps growing in a good way," said Jack Kahoun, a member of the committee. "Because of the legacy stones, people are able to recognize and honor loved ones in a way that is constructive and beautiful."

Among the 40 legacy stones will be those of Charles Ellis and James Watson, both killed in action in World War II. Their names are on the memorial along with more than 200 other residents of Wood County who died in that war. There are more than 400 names on the memorial.

Gus Mancuso, principal of John Edwards High School, Port Edwards, will be the speaker. Ian Thomas of JEHS will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jeff Radtke, Vinnie Santora, Cori Cephas, Molli Burgeson and Alison Bruener of JEHS will sing the national anthem.

Tom Marshall will serve as master of ceremonies. Brian Ruesch will read the names added to the memorial and those on the new legacy stones. The Rev. Mary Anne Biggs of United Church of Christ in Nekoosa will give the invocation and benediction.

Members of American Legion Post 9 will provide the rifle salute. Members of VFW Post 2534, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 101 and Post 9 will provide the Color Guard. Members of Military Exploring Post 120 will assist as they have in the past.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair as there are other events going on in the courthouse on Nov. 11, and organizers might not have access to as many chairs as they have in the past.

Other members of the memorial committee are Nancy Quick, Jim Strasser, Karen Schill and Elmer Loechler of Wisconsin Rapids; Diantha Neinfeldt of Nekoosa; and David La Fontaine and Jim Reigel of Marshfield.

To order a legacy stone for the spring dedication, call Quick at 715-423-8170. Additional information is available by visiting the Web site at woodcountyveteransmemorial.org.

Nancy Quick is a correspondent and former lifestyle editor for Gannett Wisconsin Media.