Operation Wisconsin Brings 9/11 Remembrance Event to Lakeside Park

FOND DU LAC, Wis. — This September, the Fond du Lac community will have an opportunity to come together to remember, reflect and support those who have served as Operation Wisconsin hosts its “9/11 Remembered: 25 Years Later” event September 11 and 12 at Oven Island in Lakeside Park.

The two-day event comes on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and will bring the community together for a meaningful weekend of remembrance, music and support for military members, veterans and first responders.

A Mission Built on Service

Operation Wisconsin is a Fond du Lac-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting active-duty military members, veterans, first responders and their families.

The organization was founded in 2014 by Brian Stenz, a disabled veteran who has made it his mission to continue serving others long after his own military service. What began as an effort to help families of deployed service members cover the costs of sending care packages overseas has grown into an organization focused on creating meaningful opportunities for veterans and first responders to connect, heal and find camaraderie.

For Stenz, Operation Wisconsin’s work is personal. His experiences as a veteran have helped shape the organization’s understanding of the challenges that can continue long after someone takes off the uniform. Through Operation Wisconsin, he has worked to create a community where veterans and first responders know they have people standing beside them.

Today, the organization focuses heavily on helping veterans and first responders through outdoor recreation and opportunities for connection, particularly those facing challenges such as PTSD, addiction and depression.

Through activities including kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, kiteboarding, camping and hiking, Operation Wisconsin works to get veterans, active military members and first responders outdoors and connected with others who understand the unique experiences that come with serving their country and communities.

That mission makes the September event especially meaningful. September 11 is not only a day to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks, but also to recognize the military members and first responders whose lives and service were forever shaped by the events that followed.

Two Days of Remembrance at Oven Island

The September 11 and 12 event will take place at Oven Island in Fond du Lac’s Lakeside Park, creating a community gathering place along Lake Winnebago for this milestone anniversary.

Music will be part of the weekend, with Thomas Gabriel, the eldest grandson of Johnny Cash, scheduled to perform Friday, September 11. The weekend continues Saturday, September 12, with Whey Jennings, grandson of country music legend Waylon Jennings, scheduled to perform.

While the music will help bring people together, the heart of the weekend remains Operation Wisconsin’s mission: honoring service, remembering sacrifice and creating connections within the community.

Supporting Those Who Serve Our Communities

For Stenz and Operation Wisconsin, supporting veterans and first responders extends well beyond a single weekend.

The organization’s outdoor programs provide positive experiences, camaraderie and an outlet for individuals dealing with the lasting effects of service. By bringing people together through shared experiences, Operation Wisconsin works to remind veterans and first responders that the community continues to value their service and sacrifice.

The September 11 and 12 gathering gives the greater Fond du Lac community an opportunity to learn more about that mission while commemorating one of the most significant moments in modern American history.

Twenty-five years later, the promise to “never forget” continues — not only by remembering those who were lost on September 11, 2001, but by standing beside the veterans, military members, first responders and families who continue to serve and sacrifice today.

Operation Wisconsin’s “9/11 Remembered: 25 Years Later” will be held Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Oven Island in Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac.