Johnny Reiter’s name is spoken with reverence in conversations with members of the Veterans of the Menominee Nation (VMN).
The love and brotherhood extends to caring for anything with his name on it. The veterans group spent much of its day Friday selling fry bread, chili and more from a food wagon, all to raise money for the Johnny Reiter Orchard at Keshena Primary School.
Commander Andy Boivin said the idea to raise money was prompted by a VMN member who told the group there was not enough money to tend to the plants and trees at the orchard during the summer months when students are not in attendance.
“One of our members suggested we do a fundraiser, and all the profits we collect will go the (Menominee Indian) School District to the science department to help with the upkeep,” Boivin said.
“The vets contacted us and said, ‘We want to do this,’” MISD Superintendent Wendell Waukau said. “It’s not just in honor of Johnny; it’s to help the kids.”
Reiter, besides being a World War II combat veteran who passed away at the age of 97, was known across the reservation for his gardens.
“He loved gardens. He planted gardens all his life,” Boivin said. “I loved going down to his house, and he would give most of his food away.”
VMN generally raises anywhere from $500 to $800 with their food fundraisers, according to Boivin.
“We had a good spurt in the morning,” Boivin said around 11 a.m. “There’s a bit of a lull right now, and we’ll have a good rush at the lunch hour. We expect to run out around 1 p.m.”
That money will go to hire students to maintain the orchard and garden, according to Waukau, as well as provide supplies. The plants and trees provide not only an educational experience for students, but also potentially healthier food options.
“Johnny’s probably looking down on us and making sure we’re following his master gardening skills,” Waukau said.
There are plans in the works to expand the orchard, including the addition of a hoop house to extend the trees’ growing season, said Waukau, who noted the school district is joining with the College of Menominee Nation to make that happen.
Alan Caldwell, a past VMN commander and retired MISD teacher, said VMN’s focus is to provide for the community.
“In the military, we were warriors. From a cultural perspective, the warriors are servants of the community,” Caldwell said. “It’s reflected in the things we do for the community.”
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