A Field of Flags
A Field of Flags surrounds the pond at Veterans Park in Altoona during the Community Orchestra Sing-Along. The display was part of a partnership between Sunrise Exchange Club and the Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute honoring veterans, first responders and community heroes.
Sunrise Exchange Club and Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute join together to honor those who serve
This summer, the Sunrise Exchange Club was proud to partner with the Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute in bringing the Field of Flags to several of the Chippewa Valley’s major community events.
The project was part of the community’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, but its meaning went beyond the anniversary itself. The flags were placed to honor military veterans, first responders, and the local heroes who serve our communities every day.
The Field of Flags appeared at Summer Jam in Eau Claire, the Community Orchestra Sing-Along at Veterans Park in Altoona, and Country Jam in Eau Claire.
At each location, the display took on a character of its own. At the music festivals, flags lined the entrance drives, welcoming people as they arrived. At Veterans Park in Altoona, the flags surrounded the pond near the park’s main flag.
And there was something especially fitting about seeing the flags reflected in the water, standing quietly among the trees and summer landscape.
More Than a Display
A Field of Flags is easy to see, but its meaning goes much deeper.
Each flag represents a reminder of service and sacrifice. Together, the displays created an opportunity for people attending these events to pause for a moment and reflect on the men and women who have served—and continue to serve—our country and our communities.
For Sunrise Exchange, participating in the project was also an example of what community organizations can accomplish when they work together.
The Field of Flags brought patriotism into some of the Chippewa Valley’s most visible public gatherings and gave thousands of people an opportunity to see a very simple but powerful symbol: the American flag.
A Summer to Remember
The displays are now gone, the events have passed, and the flags have been carefully put away. But the memories remain.
Sunrise Exchange Club is grateful to the Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute for the opportunity to be part of this special project and to everyone who helped make the displays possible.
As we look back on the summer’s celebration of 250 years of American independence, we are especially grateful for those whose service and sacrifice have helped make that history possible.
It was a summer of flags, community and patriotism—and Sunrise Exchange was honored to be part of it.
Coming Events
🇺🇸 One Nation Under God Veterans Breakfast
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 6:30 AM
VFW – Starr Avenue
Join Sunrise Exchange as we honor the men and women who have served our nation during our annual One Nation Under God Veterans Breakfast.
The program begins at 6:30 AM with opening by Master of Ceremonies Jay Boulay, an invocation by Tim Bauer, and event coordination by Dick Freitag. This meaningful community tradition recognizes the sacrifices and service of our local veterans.
🎄 Annual Christmas Party
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Hangar 54 – Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Celebrate the holiday season with your Sunrise Exchange family at our annual Christmas Party. Enjoy an evening of great food, fellowship, and holiday cheer as we wrap up another successful year of service.
Please bring a salad or dessert to share.
Event organizer: Jay Boulay.
We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
Cycling 3,000 Miles to Help Others!
Imagine riding a bicycle 3,000 miles from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL.
Perry Kuznar is doing such a thing, and he is looking forward to the challenge. He will be averaging 60 to 80 miles a day and will be on his bike for almost two months starting October second.
Perry is the President of Sunrise Exchange Club of Eau Claire and has been a member for over 37 years.
This ride was supposed to be a retirement personal challenge. He likes to ride bicycles but never had time to ride any more than just a day or two at a time. Retirement solved his time challenge.
It dawned on him that he could help people in need with the ride, rather than just get a great deal of exercise. He reached out to non-profit organizations Sunrise Exchange worked with and offered a fundraising opportunity. He would ride and the non-profits could ask their supporters to donate to them in support of the ride.
Perry came up with a simple “Penny a Mile” pledge request. For 3,000 miles, that is $30.00. A relatively easy amount to ask for.
The Route
The route is 3,000 miles long, from San Diego, CA, to St. Augustine, FL. It was designed by an organization called Adventure Cycling Association. They publish detailed paper and digital GPS route maps.
Perry will use the digital GPS maps with his on-board navigation screen (think bike version of your car’s nav screen). The paper maps will be carried as a backup. The routes are designed to use back roads, in case you were wondering. Bikes are not normally allowed on interstate highways.
To follow the ride, Perry will be posting a daily update starting in September. It will feature preparation before the ride and details of each day’s ride after he hits the road. See “Perry and Kathy’s Southern Tier Adventure” on the “Crazy Guy on a Bike” website.
www.crazyguyonabike.com/perrykuznar2025
Mission Accomplished!
On Friday, November 21st, 2025, our club president, Perry Kuznar, maneuvered his recumbent bicycle to a stop at St. John’s Pier in St. Augustine, Florida. This was his final stop on a 44-day trip that took him across the United States. Perry departed San Diego California on October 2nd, and pedaled 3,141 miles, crossing 8 states, to get to his Florida destination.
Perry’s wife Kathy handled the trip logistics and towed their home-away-from-home tear-drop trailer for this adventure.
While Perry was fulfilling a personal goal to ride across the country, he was also riding to raise money for some local charities. By the end of the ride, donations totaled over $13,000.00 for the Sunrise Exchange Club, Hope Gospel Mission, Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute, and Perry’s personal church, Immaculate Conception Parish.
Perry wrote a daily trip blog which can be found here: crazyguyonabike.com/perrykuznar2025.
On behalf of Sunrise Exchange and all the non-profits Perry rode for, we want to thank all the donors for their generosity. The funds raised are going to help others in these various organizations.
Wrapping Your Gifts for the Holiday!
Sunrise Exchange, in conjunction with the Chippewa Valley Boys and Girls Club, will once again be wrapping gifts for busy Christmas shoppers at Oakwood Mall from December 10th through the 24th.
Hours are 10 AM to 10 PM every day, closing at 6PM on Christmas eve.
If your organization can help with this project, we offer a direct portion of the proceeds back for the number of hours worked. Please use this link to sign up for the shifts you would like to work: Sunrise Exchange Gift Wrap Sign-Up 2025
This is a fund-raiser for the clubs and a community service.
