VIDEO: The ‘War on 64′ may be over this year for Merrill and Antigo, but the fire departments are still reeling over the outcome, especially since the fire chiefs have a friendly wager set on the game. “It’s just fun to have that connection. We all get along with each other,” Antigo Fire Chief Corey Smith said.
Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug and Smith have both formed a friendship because of their similar pasts. That includes being raised in central Wisconsin, being involved in union activities, finding a passion in firefighting, and being promoted to fire chief. With their friendship comes healthy competition that started three years ago. “Having a son on the football team. It was his sophomore year and I thought I had inside information that we were going to win that game and we lost,” said Klug. “You know, in hindsight, I think if we would have won all three of them already, I don’t know if Corey would want to keep doing it.” That first year, the chiefs decided the loser, who ended up being Merrill, would bring breakfast to the winning fire department.
