May 19, 2017 at 4:12 p.m.
Camp American Legion welcomes new director
Don Grundy steps in with a clear vision for the future
Camp American Legion welcomes new director
Kevin Moshea has served as camp director for the past eight years, but come June, Grundy will take over full time. Enthusiastic to step into his role, Grundy has been working alongside Moshea to pick up each morsel of wisdom. Beyond that, Grundy will bring in his own background, serving as Suicide Prevention/Intervention Program Manager for the U.S. Army National Guard.
As part of his previous career, Grundy had been making trips to the camp to teach an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for soldiers and family members. But now he and his family will making the move up to the Northwoods and he couldn't be more excited.
"I was able to get to know Kevin (Moshea) and some other people at the camp over the last four years. In August, just in passing, I asked Kevin when he thought he may retire. He said 'oh, maybe four or five more years' and I said 'that's perfect,'" Grundy said, figuring he would be at his position for roughly the same amount of time.
Moshea called Grundy in the fall of 2016 with some unexpected news.
"He said 'Don, I'm retiring early,'" Grundy said. "I said 'no, no you have to wait!' Then my wife and I kicked it around for awhile and I talked with some of my mentors and explained that this is a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity that I doubt I'll have again."
Grundy gave up his active duty retirement to take the position as director of Camp American Legion.
He soon spoke with Dave Kurtz, the Wisconsin American Legion Adjunct, to review things he believes could evolve at the camp, one being a larger focus on families and the active serving.
"Just like the group that is here now," Grundy said, pointing to a family walking down to the shoreline of Big Carr Lake in Lake Tomahawk. "It's the U.S. Coast Guard, and they're all active serving in the state of Wisconsin. I want to do more of that."
Right now at the camp, the primary visitors are disabled veterans and their caretakers, whether a spouse or other family member. Currently, the camp accepts those returning from duty within nine months. Grundy wants to extend that timeline to 18 months, with a belief that those first nine months are often occupied by other matters which may prevent a visit to the camp.
Another project Grundy will be spearheading will be construction of a "Gold Star Home" to be utilized by family members of the fallen. That facility will be open year-round, unlike many of the facilities at Camp American Legion.
Grundy said many aspects of the camp's infrastructure need updating.
"Like this building here," Grundy said, gesturing to the building he sits in. "It's $90,000 in log siding. Kolbe donated over $70,000 in windows and doors. This building has never had insulation, but we want to prepare it so folks can come up during the winter months and go snowmobiling, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing on our nature trail. That's going to be a big evolution here at camp, because we've always been closed for the winter."
Many of the cabins also need updating, according to Grundy. Primarily that has come with the sheer volume of campers coming through the gates. Just five years ago, 500 people came to Camp American Legion. Last year, over 1,400 visited, with a projected 1,600 this season.
"We need facilities that can accommodate the handicap better. We need facilities that will be inviting to families," he said.
Grundy said he is currently in the process of identifying all of the structural improvements to be addressed at the camp.
To accomplish this goal will necessitate engaging the community on a level Camp American Legion has not done in the past, he added. Both locally and across the state of Wisconsin, Grundy said the camp "needs to up that effort."
"I decided that we need to start right here. Right here in the Northwoods. I'm surprised how often I go out and say 'Hi, I'm Don, I'm from Camp American Legion,' and then someone might say 'oh, I thought that place closed down years ago.' Or, 'I thought that's what that was, but I wasn't sure,'" he said. "People don't know who we are or who we serve. So we're going to do little things, that is less about the money, but raising awareness through a fundraiser."
The camp will be raffling off two kayaks and a trailer donated by Coontail Sports in Arbor Vitae. The kayaks will be present at several parades, with tickets being sold, and a goal of engaging the community, both locals and tourists.
"We've got a lot moving and shaking here," Grundy said. "Kevin (Moshea) is leaving me big shoes to fill. That guy has been amazing. He works every day from 6:30 in the morning, often until 9 or 9:30 at night. That's every day for Kevin."
Grundy said his wife, son and daughter to be very much involved in the day-to-day operations at the camp as well, with his daughter already taking a job as a dining hall assistant.
"It's going to be a family affair for us," he said. "We're excited, but it will be a big transition."
He expects that come August, he and his family will officially have "their feet on the ground."
"I'm a changer, and people know me to do that. Not just for the sake of change, but for the sake of bettering the organization and bettering what we do," he said. "When we do our transition meeting on June 11 with the entire staff, we're going to start with the question 'Why are we here as an organization? Why are we here as individuals?' I truly believe, from my interactions with the staff, that they all have a deep-seated vision of why they've taken their time to volunteer at Camp American Legion."
After spending time with Grundy, it remains clear his energy is entirely focused on ensuring Camp American Legion continues to improve and fulfill the vision of providing a emotional and physical outlet for veterans.
Evan Verploegh may be reached via email at [email protected].
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