By Marv Kohlbeck

PITTSVILLE – Staff members of the Associated Bank branch in Pittsville were the recipients of a $1,000, after creating a display to honor veterans.

In recent years Associated Bank, headquartered in Green Bay, has put on a “friendly competitive contest” for all of its locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, to see which outlet can come up with the best display that would honor all local veterans, in keeping with Veteran’s Day. The winner of the contest receives $1,000, which in turn is donated to an American Legion Post in their service area.

Employees of Associated Bank in Pittsville went “all out” and their bank display was recently awarded the top prize of $1,000, along with an additional $340, which Central Wisconsin Community Market colleagues also contributed.

Organizers said that the community, friends, and families all came together with stories, pictures, uniforms, and memorabilia, and that all display ideas were a collaboration of these things. The main thrust of attention was the placing of two mannequins of military soldiers posed as reading a “letter from home,” which made the display appear to be realistic, personable, and heartfelt.