Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

June 16, 2010, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Saturday a busy one at The Highground

By Peter Spicer

Flag Day, legacy Stone Placement and Korean Stone Placement ceremonies all took place at The Highground Saturday, June 12, 2010.

The day began with the Flag Day Ceremony.  After the Liberty Bell tolled, the Neillsville Boy Scouts, Neillsville Color Guard and Loyal Legion Post 175 brought flags onto the plaza.

Neillsville Boy Scouts salute the flag during he Star Spangled Banner at The Highground?s Flag Day Ceremony held Saturday, June 12, 2010. The Boy Scouts, Neillsville Color Guard and Loyal Legion Post 175 presented flags at the Ceremony.

After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Star-Spangles Banner was performed, Highground Volunteer General manager Kirk Rodman welcomed the many attendees to the ceremony and told a story about how The Highground is a place of healing for veterans.

Before Legacy Stones were placed, ceremony attendee Neil Kachur mixed earth from Saturday?s legacy Stone ceremony.  Earth from this ceremony will be saved and spread at the next ceremony, which connects all Highground stone ceremonies.

Neil Kachur (right) mixes earth from The Highground?s last Legacy Stone Placement Ceremony with earth from Saturday?s Legacy Stone Placement Ceremony while Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman assists him. A total of 15 families placed legacy Stones at The Highground Saturday, June 12, 2010. (Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

A total of 15 families placed legacy Stones at The Highground Saturday.  After the Legacy Stones were placed, those attending gathered in a circle around the plaza; the names of Wisconsin soldiers who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan were read.

A vial of earth was passed from person to person while those holding the vial had the opportunity to share their thoughts.  The reversing of the circle then took place, allowing everyone in the circle to greet each other.

The Highground thanked their volunteers and staff for making the day possible to honor family and the U. S. Flag, as well as veterans who made it possible for everyone to fly the flag freely with pride.

Later that day, the annual Korean Tribute Stone Ceremony was held.  Highground volunteer and Korean Tribute initiator Bob Berglund helped spread a vial of earth from the last Korean Stone Placement Ceremony.

Black polished granite stones were dedicated and place on rice paddies at the Korean Tribute. A total of nine rice paddies are being completed; with less than 10 Korean Tribute Stones available, this portion of the tribute will be completed.

Steven Dick, who is a 1997 Neillsville High School graduate, traveled from Gillingham, England near London to honor his father, Daniel Dick, with a Korean Tribute Stone. 

Daniel Dick served with the U. S. Army in both Vietnam and Korea.  He served in Korea from 1970 to 1971.

?My father meant a lot to me,? said Steven Dick.  ?I?d cross the world for him.?

Dick has attended many ceremonies at The Highground and stated it is a place to remember what his family did for the country.