The Highground Newsletter, Neillsville, Clark Co., WI

December 10, 2008, Page 4

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

The Highground welcomes new statue

By Peter Spicer

The Highground welcomed a new Fountain of Tears GI statue during a ceremony held Friday, Dec. 5.

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the event on a cold Friday afternoon.  The Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman discussed the GI statue, which wears a World War II helmet. 

Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman discusses a Fountain of Tears GI statue during a ceremony held on Friday Dec. 5, to welcome the statue to The Highground. (Photos by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

The Neillsville Color Guard presented Colors at the ceremony.

The Neillsville Color Guard prepares for a ceremony held Friday, Dec. 5, to welcome a Fountain of Tears GI statue to The Highground.  The color guard presented Colors at the ceremony.

The statue is the genesis of the tears on the Fountain of Tears tribute, which reflects the spirituality of the Meditation Garden.  In one hand, the GI holds the dog tags of his fallen comrade.  His other hand rests on a helmet and impaled rifle.  His tears flow through the fountain under the bridge and into the pond.  The wife and child of the fallen soldier will sit at the edge of the pond holding a folded flag.

Adding the statue to the Fountain of Tears is a great accomplishment for The Highground.

“This is a major, major milestone,” said Rodman during the ceremony.

The Fountain of Tears is one of four rooms within the Meditation Garden.  Trees and shrubs were planted; flowers adorn the garden during summer months. Benches were placed throughout the garden to allow visitors to quietly meditate.

Rodman recognized United USDA representatives Barbara Brewster and Kevin Tuttle, who both attended the ceremony; the USDA pledged $15,000 toward the Fountain of Tears project.

After unveiling the statue, those in attendance gathered in a talking circle and then enjoyed cookies and coffee indoors.