Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

July 29, 2009, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon 

25^th Bicycle Tour to be held

A total of 1,500 miles will be traveled on a bicycle in 10 days during The Highground Hero’s Tribute Ride starting Friday, July 31, when a lone rider will recreate a journey made 25 years earlier by a Vietnam veteran determined to fulfill a promise made to a dying friend on a distant battlefield.

Vietnam veteran Tom Kingsbury will depart from The Highground at 8 a.m. Friday; riders from six different bike routes will converge at The Highground Sunday, Aug. 9, at 11:30 a.m.

In 1985, Tom Miller peddled 1,244 miles to raise awareness and funds for a tribute to Jack Swender and other Vietnam veterans who did not make it home.

Miller’s effort to fulfill a promise to his best friend grew into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project Inc., better known as The Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville.

Kingsbury now pedals the same route and adds one mile for each Wisconsin Veteran killed serving the country since Vietnam.  The goals of the two men are similar.

Miller rode to raise awareness of Vietnam veterans; Kingsbury, a veteran himself, rides to honor the 25^th anniversary of Miller’s ride and to raise awareness of a group of veterans serving on another distant battlefield, the Persian Gulf veterans.

Leaders and members of 30 communities along the way will receive two special reminders of the service and sacrifice of their own soldiers.  A U. S. Flag flown by soldiers in the Persian Gulf will be presented to each of the 30 communities by Gold Star families with a request to fly the flag with pride from a centrally located flagpole.  All 30 flags will be lowered to half-staff at noon Sunday, Aug. 9, in conjunction with the flag at The Highground in memory of and to honor, fallen soldiers.  A plaque with the names of soldiers from each community killed serving the country will be present to a local dignitary for display in a community center.

In addition, a representative of the Veteran’s Administration will accompany Kingsbury’s ride and will be available to answer veterans’ questions after each ceremony.

The second goal of Kingsbury’s ride is to raise funds for a Persian Gulf tribute at The Highground.

“We have been approached by veterans and families who formed a committee and look forward to the addition of a tribute to Persian Gulf Veterans,” said Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman, who would like to see $1,000 raised for each stop.

Keeping track of the rider and the level of fundraising will be easy for anyone with a computer.  A live feed will be available at The Highground’s Web site with the schedule and location of the stops.

Blogging and Twitter from the vans accompanying Kingsbury will provide everyone with instant access to the ride itself.

Visit Web site www.thehighground.org for more information.

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park receives no ongoing federal or state funds and relies on volunteers and donations.  All donations are tax deductible.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

August 5, 2009, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Kingsbury begins 1,500-mile Tribute Ride

Highground Tribute Ride cyclist Tom Kingsbury begins his 1,500-mile journey on a foggy Friday, July 31 morning at The Highground with two vans and eight individuals accompanying him. (Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

Two vans accompanied military veteran Tom Kingsbury as he began his 1,500-mile 25^th Tribute Ride trip from The Highground after a ceremony on a foggy Friday, July 31^st morning.

Those wanting to see Kingsbury, a Loyal resident, start his journey attended the Friday morning ceremony, which began with Neillsville American Legion Post 73 presenting colors.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman welcomed Kingsbury and others to The Highground.

Kingsbury will make 30 stops in 10 days during the 1,500 mile trip, said Rodman.

WCCN News Director Paul Knoff shared information about why Kingsbury is participating in the Tribute Ride.

Kingsbury is riding to honor the 25^th anniversary of Tom Miller’s ride and to raise awareness of Vietnam and Persian Gulf veterans.  Kings bury is also riding to raise funds for a Persian Gulf Tribute for The Highground.

Rodman’s goal is to raise $1,000 at each of the 30 stops on the Tribute Ride.

In 1985, Miller pedaled 1,244 miles to raise awareness and funds for a tribute to his friend, Jack Swender, and other Vietnam veterans who did not make it home.

Kingsbury will travel 1,244 miles plus one mile for each Wisconsin person who has died in action since Vietnam.

“It’s an honor to be able to do something like this,” said Kingsbury, “I’m ready to get rolling.”

At least five individuals will accompany Kingsbury at one time during the trip, said Rodman.

Gold Star family member Celeste Kaufman presented Clark County Board Chairman Wayne Hendrickson an American flag flown in Iraq and a Tribute Ride plaque honoring the 1,500 Wisconsin Vietnam and Persian Gulf KIAs.  Kaufman’s son, Charles, died in the Persian Gulf War.

Neillsville American Legion Commander Dick Harrington presented Hendrickson with a plaque displaying the names of all local soldiers killed in action since 1957.  Hendrickson plans to display both plaques and the Flag at the Clark County Courthouse.

The names of Wisconsin soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan were then read as The Highground’s Liberty Bell tolled and colors were retired.

With one van in front and one van behind Kingsbury and eight individuals in those vans, he began a long day’s journey, which included stops in Loyal and Phillips before ending the day in Ashland.

Kingsbury will return to The Highground Sunday, Aug. 9, when bicyclists who started for six different locations Thursday, Aug. 6, converge at The Highground at 11:30 a.m. for a special journey’s end celebration.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

August 12, 2009, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Highground Ride to Remember to be held

The Highground Ride to Remember motorcycle rally is dedicated to remembering veterans, POWs and MIAs – those whose service has made everyone’s way of life possible.

An opening ceremony will take place Friday, Aug. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at The Highground. Following the ceremony, those attending are invited to visit Tufts’ Mansion in Neillsville for live music performed by The Fab Five from 7 to 10 p.m.

Registration for the Saturday, Aug. 15 ride will begin at 10 a.m. at the WCCN Pavilion in Neillsville.  Three guided rides will depart at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p .m.  A procession to The Highground will take place at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a celebration picnic.

For more information and preregistration, call The Highground at 715-743-4224 or e-mail to highgrnd@tds.net.  For additional information and registration forms visit The Highground Web site at www.thehighground.org.

Related Links:

• Bicyclist Made Their Way