Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co. WI

June 22, 2011, Page 11

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Committee fundraising for Persian Gulf Tribute

The Persian Gulf Tribute Committee is currently raising funds for a Persian Gulf Tribute at The Highground.  Those posing with the Bootprint design for the tribute include (L-R) Highground Board of Directors President Greg Foye of Wausau; Sergeant First Class David Barth, Neillsville, the Wisconsin National Guard Army and Persian Gulf Tribute Committee Chairman; Bootprint designer Steve Jamroz of Blue Design Group, Hortonville; Staff Sergeant Brandon Hensiak, Neillsville, Wisconsin National Guard Army and Persian Gulf Tribute Committee member; and Amanda Hensiak, Neillsville, Persian Gulf Tribute Committee Secretary. (Contributed Photo)

The Persian Gulf Tribute Committee started fundraising for a Persian Gulf Tribute Bootprint Design, which will be the next tribute placed at The Highground.

The tribute will honor those who served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.

The Bootprint Design evokes many impressions left in the sand of the desert, similar to the conditions of the Middle East conflicts, said David Barth, Persian Gulf Tribute Committee chairman. The committee is also seeking bids for the project.

The Bootprint Design concept chosen for the Persian Gulf Tribute was one relating to the design parameters and mission statement on many different levels. The proposal was selected from over 10 designs submitted by artists.

Steve Jamroz and Steve Romatz of the Blue Design Group – an architectural firm located in Hortonville – felt honored to be selected to complete this tribute.

The tribute design is dedicated to the military service of friends, family and those who sacrificed much to provide everyone with the freedom the country is founded upon, said Romatz.

The Bootprint Design symbolically recalled the impression the young men and women involved in the conflict had in the world, Jamroz stated.  The Bootprint is an appropriate metaphor to the mission statement’s goals of marching forward in the Global War on Terrorism.  The Bootprint Design allows for perennial flowerbeds to be located in the deepest impressions left by the boot.  Representatively, these deepest impressions allow for the seeds of hope, the seeds of life and the seeds of healing.

Dividing the Bootprint into two pieces relates to the sorrow felt by the loss of those involved in the conflicts.  Additionally, the two pieces of the tribute will straddle existing and proposed trails at the Highground and act as a gateway or “anchor” for a section of the trail system or future tributes.

The proposed completed design placement allows for the Bootprint to be viewed from The Highground’s highest elevation (point of the walk of honor).  This was an important part of the design because it allows Highground visitors to view the tribute, much like viewing a boot print in the sands of the Middle East, said Barth.

Working with the Persian Gulf Committee, the Blue Design Group design team incorporated items used in the Persian Gulf conflicts, including Jersey and Texas barricades.  These items were used to create the treads of the boot print.

The honor stones, star statue bases and reflection benches will be made of sand-colored granite material. Three statues depicting the military personnel serving and a battlefield cross will be made of bronze.