Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI) April 26, 2006

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon. 

Eight counties to be honored on The Highground Veterans Memorial Park

NEILLSVILLE—Engraved in stone! On April 29, at 1 p.m. the stones of eight counties will be dedicated on the Wisconsin Counties United in Service (UIS) Tribute at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park near Neillsville.  Residents of Fond du Lac, Walworth, Portage, Shawano, Trempealeau, La Crosse, Rusk, and Ozaukee counties are invited to join in the ceremony and will find their county represented in granite on the tribute.  UIS stones honor each county and its residents for recognizing and supporting their veterans.

Of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, 54 have stones engraved on the tribute.  Dedications have previously been held in the fall, but this year it was decided to have the stones engraved early.  “The spring ceremony will allow visitors from these counties to see their stones throughout spring, summer and fall,” said Beth Martin, UIS stone coordinator.

The ceremony will begin with the ringing of the Liberty Bell and the presentation of colors.  Volunteers will then be asked to lead the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner.  Representatives from each county will be recognized and asked to say a few words.  Everyone will be asked to be a part of The Highground’s Talking Circle.  Refreshments will be served in the Timberframe following the event.

Individuals and organizations that made the stones possible will be recognized in the ceremony, and members and visitors are welcome to take part in the program.  “We encourage our visitors to participate in the ceremony whether by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, ringing the bell, or performing in a color guard,” Martin said.  “What better way to enjoy your time at the park than by being part of the event.”

The people who took an interest in this project for their counties include housewives, teachers, members of motorcycle clubs, veteran’s service organizations, civic organizations, and anonymous donors.  In most cases, she explained, these community members turned to their county veteran service officer (CVSO) to facilitate the process.  CVSO’s Nick Benzinger, Shawano, Bill Thoma, Trempealeau, Mike Clements, Portage, Ken Brown, Ozaukee, Jim Gausmann, La Crosse, and Robert Stone, Rusk, went out of their way to help their people make the right connections.

In La Crosse County, Jim Gausmann introduced the project to the area veteran’s council.  Dean Nedvidek, president of the Veteran’s Council of La Crosse received help from many of the veteran’s service organizations.  A separate donation was received from Robert Ender, La Crosse.

Ken Brown and Robert Shappell finance officers for the American Legion Ozaukee County Council, worked together to provide the donation for Ozaukee.  The Council includes Warren Kane Post 410, Ban Ells-Schanen Post 82, Memorial Post 412, Peter Wollner Post 288, Howard J. Schroeder Post 457, Rose-Harms Post 355, and Landt-Thiel Post 470.

In Fond du Lac, Tom Athanasiou brought the UIS stone project to the attention of his employer, J. F. Ahern Company.  He emailed The Highground, “My Company has gladly agreed to sponsor the County Stone…”  Michael Krueger, executive vice president, took care of the arrangements.

Larry Weber and the members of Loomis-Martin Post 188 stepped forward for Walworth County engraving their stone with the words: For God and Country, Love, Honor and Duty.

Mike Clements and the Portage County Military Veterans Council took the leadership role in making sure their county stone would be engraved for the April dedication.

Nick Benzinger and Shawano area veterans worked together to provide for the Shawano stone, which reads: Honoring All Veterans Who Served.  Residents of their counties through their county offices provided donations for Rusk and Trempealeau.  Robert Stone and Bill Thoma took care of the arrangements.    “This isn’t about any one organization,” Stone said.  “This is about the residents of this county. They are the ones that should be recognized.”

Counties yet to have their names engraved on the tribute include: Bayfield, Florence, Washburn, Sawyer, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Forest, Oconto, Lincoln, Menominee, Marquette, Vernon, Crawford, La Fayette, Sheboygan, Green Lake and Columbia.

The 140-acre veteran’s memorial park has nine veteran tributes and 4 miles of walking trails.  The park is 501 © organization and relies on donations and volunteers receiving no ongoing federal and state funding.  Located 3 miles west of Neillsville on U. S. Highway 10, The Timberframe Information & Gift Shop is open year-round from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Sunday.  For more information, call (715) 743-4224.

Volunteers and contributors are the heart of The Highground.