Brandon Huth, Tony Johnson, Eric Wagner, Zach McNallan, Tram Mathias
You will see a new statue at Veteran’s Park commemorating US Navy and US Coast Guard Veterans. It was donated by Jim and Tram Mathias, in celebration of Jim’s 50th year since he left for boot camp for the US Navy. Mathias is a 1976 graduate of Wababsha-Kellogg High school.
” I never had thought I would make it a career. Then I did 22 years in the Navy. Following my retirement, I was hired first as a Navy contractor and then as an Air Force federal employee,” said Mathias about his years of service. In 2020, Mathias moved back to his hometown with his wife, Tram
” I was inspired to do this project by Tony Johnson. He came to the American Legion and VFW asking for support for a Naval statue but there were not enough funds to do all the statues that needed to be installed,” said Mathias. So he stepped up to make it happen.
” What a great honor to have people in our community that are so caring about our community and the Service,” said Catherine Gallanberger, American Legion Commander for the Wabasha Post 50, about the Mathias contribution.
Classmates from 1976 who also served in the military include Daniel Dick, Alan Elstad, Timothy Hansen, Keith Koenig, Marie Lager, Scott Loechler, Larry Meyer, Kevin Stamschror, and Elmer Sylvester.
Congratulations to SVJ Creative Designs on the excellence craftmanship in the sailor statue. Thank you to Tony Johnson, Wabasha Public Works team, VFW and American Legion, for your dedication to the ongoing maintenance and improvements to Veteran’s Park.
Jim Mathias and Tram Mathias in front of new sailor statue at Veteran's Park
