At 99 years old, "Heine" Elroy Lemke is Merrill's last living member of the Northwoods VFW post, that served in World War II.
On Thursday, "Heine" was honored by the Northwoods VFW post, as well as the "Quilts to Heroes" program along with his friends and family in attendance at the post in Merrill.
"He’s been around for a long time," said Alicia Weix, Northwoods Veterans Post 1638 Auxiliary President. "I mean this whole town knows him and loves him. 99 is just amazing, and until recently his health. He was all over the place doing all kinds of things, but now I know he’s slowing down which is unfortunate."
"Heine" is currently on hospice care, but the 99-year-old hero was full of life and laughter during the ceremony as stories were being told by he and other fellow veterans.
Cheryl Coyer, the creator of "Quilts to Heroes," said it's an honor to bring smiles to the faces of those who deserve recognition, but nay have never received it.
"Whoever contacts me, I won’t turn them down and I’ll make a quilt for a veteran as long as they don’t have one already,” Coyer said.
At the end of the ceremony, the custom unique quilt was wrapped around "Heine" as a symbol of love, strength, comfort and healing during his last days.
