Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

July 1, 2009, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Highground to hold July 4 celebration

And fireworks July 5

The Highground will once again present the colors and celebrate freedom service members provided for everyone by keeping the country safe and free.

The Liberty Bell will toll, flags will be flown and the Neillsville Color Guard and Loyal Color Guard will present the colors Saturday, July 4, at 10 a.m.

Guest speaker Rich Sanders, national president of VietNow National Headquarters, will speak prior to the reading of names of Wisconsin soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. There will be a firing squad; taps will be played to honor those who served and lost their lives.  Sunday, July 5, at dusk, The Highground will have a display of fireworks provided by donations to The Highground for this special occasion.

Volunteers and contributors are the heart of The Highground. The Highground mission is healing and education and is a place for everyone.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

July 8, 2009, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

The Highground celebrates Independence Day

Loyal and Neillsville color guards present colors during

The Highground?s Independence Day Celebration, Saturday,

July 4, 2009 (Cheryl Anderegg/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

Approximately 100 gathered for a ceremony at The Highground Saturday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day.

After the Liberty Bell tolled to signal the start of the ceremony, the Neillsville and Loyal color guards presented colors.

After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, military veteran Herb Westlunde of Rothschild performed ?The Star Spangled Banner.?

Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman then welcomed those in attendance.

Rodman discussed the responsibilities American citizens have toward the country and fellow Americans and encouraged others to help those who sacrificed for the country.

Guest Speaker Rich Sanders, VietNow National Headquarters national president, spoke to those in attendance about Gold Star Mothers, whose sons gave their lives while serving the country through active duty.

Sanders also discussed the importance of The Highground to veterans. Sanders helped with the construction of The High-ground when it was founded.

Attendees then gathered in a talking circle, where colors were presented.  Sanders and his wife, Mary, read the names of Wisconsin soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Adam Nichols of Black River Falls performed ?Taps;? colors were retired.  Those in attendance were able to share their thoughts when a microphone was passed from person to person. Each person in the circle touched a vial of earth from the pervious Highground event.

After each attendee had the opportunity to share thoughts, those in the circle greeted each other.

The Highground concluded the Independence Day weekend with a fireworks display Sunday, July 5.