It was a serene ending to a monumental undertaking as Warrior Hikers Michael Maziarka and Miles Vining exited the Northern Terminus of the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail that had been home away from home for the last three months.
The hikers began their stint on the trail in May at St. Croix Falls and finished at Potowatomi State Park near Sturgeon Bay in Door County on Saturday morning. They were welcomed by VFW 3088 Post Commander Bill Graf and his wife Mary Ann as well as Maziarka’s wife, Rachel, and parents, Jim and Ginny Maziarka.
A celebration took place afterwards with members of the VFW Post at The Lodge Leatham Smith in Sturgeon Bay where Maziarka gave props to Warrior Hike, the support of Wisconsin’s VFW’s, and the many people they met along the way who lent their support.
Maziarka and Vining are both Afghanistan war veterans, Maziarka having served in the U.S. Army and Vining in the Marines. Both men participated in the Warrior Hike which is designed to help combat veterans transition from their military service. Maziarka is a native of West Bend.
