Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co. WI

August 11, 2010, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

The Highground?s new Learning Center dedicated

Kirk (left) and Nancy (right) Rodman hold each end of the ribbon, while Vietnam veteran Steve Piotrowski (center) cuts the ribbon to dedicate The Highground?s Learning Center, Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.  Piotrowski?s photo is one of many Vietnam portraits currently displayed at the Learning Center. (Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

The Highground?s new Learning Center, which recently opened, was officially dedicated Friday, August 13, 2010.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner, Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman welcomed those in attendance to the dedication and then introduced former Highground Board Chair C. W. King.

The Learning Center is a dream come true, said King, who explained The Learning Center has ?become the dream.?

When adding a Learning Center was first discussed, those involved asked how they would make the center a safe place for veterans to share their stories, said Highground Board Chair Beth Martin.

Veterans can leave their burdens behind them when at the Learning Center, said Martin.

Martin then thanked Kirk and Nancy Rodman, The Highground staff and volunteers who make ?the impossible possible.?

Those involved with the project ?went above and beyond the call of duty,? said Kirk Rodman, who explained those involved came from all over to help complete the project.

Photographer James Gill of Wisconsin Public Television, who created the Vietnam portraits currently displayed at The Highground, attended the dedication and stated it is an honor to have his photographs displayed during the dedication.

To call the portraits a labor of love does not do them justice, said Gill.

?I hope I did it justice,? said Gill.

Thank you veterans for your service and welcome home,? said Gill, who stated the portraits will soon be displayed in Milwaukee.

After Gill spoke, The Highground honored soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan by reading their names.

Vietnam Veteran Steve Piotrowski of Madison, whose portraits is one of the many Gill featured in the Vietnam portrait display, cut he ribbon to dedicate the Learning Center.

?What a wonderful day,? said Rodman, who explained completing the Learning Center required patience and knowledge. ?One of our dreams becomes a reality today.?

Highground staff and board members (left, standing) are recognized for their efforts to complete the new Learning Center, which was dedicated Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.  Volunteer general manager Kirk Rodman and several board members were among those who spoke at the dedication.  (Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)