Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

June 29, 2011, Page 15

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

The Highground Stone Ceremony June 11 included

Legacy Stones, Meditation Stone and WWII Benches

Saturday, June 11, The Highground had a full day of stones to dedicate.  A special Meditation Garden Stone was placed by the Watts family, honoring Vietnam Veteran, Bill Watts.  Four WWII benches were then dedicated, completing the area with its red granite benches.  Honorees included Leroy and Agatha Carlson, Neillsville; Timmy Carlson, Wausau; Bernard Havlik, Janesville; and Art Jungwirth, Stevens Point.  Legacy stones were then placed by many family members celebrating fathers, brothers, American Legions and family unions.  Stones were purchased from across Wisconsin (Green Bay to Eagle to Madison and more), Illinois, Virginia and Minnesota.

The next stone placement ceremony is July 9.  Stone Placement Ceremonies are scheduled each month now through October.

Contact The Highground at 715-743-4224 for more information or check out the website at: www.thehighground.org.

Below are photos of various placements of Legacy Stones, Meditation Stone and WWII Benches on June 11, 2011:

The Brux family honored their brother, Gary Brux, who was the first Vietnam KIA from Greenwood. They also said “Thank You” to all the vets in their family.  The family came together from Colorado and across Wisconsin to honor their brother; and share a special reunion Brothers and sisters pictured are: Al (front, far left), Monica (front, buttoned coat), (front, l-r) Dale holding stone; Kathryn, Judy, Janet and Mark (back, 3^rd from right)

Pictured are family and friends of Brian Bornick and Michelle Haas, (now of Virginia) holding the stone honoring them.  They met, and serve in the U. S. Army.  Both have done tours in Iraq.  Their family thought that an appropriate Wedding present for the two was to honor them with a Legacy Stone at The Highground as a perpetual “thank you” for their service.  Their story, told in The Highground Registry Book along with the stone, make a true legacy.

A Meditation Garden Honor Stone was placed at The Highground June 11 for Roshier “Bill” Watts Jr. for his service in the Vietnam War and dedication to his family.  Pictured are (front, l-r) son-in-law, Doug Mantz (holding the stone), daughter, Michelle Mantz (holding the frame of Bill’s medals and picture), wife, Pat Watts, Matthew Coulthard, Sue and Rex Roehl, Judy Netzer and Tom Babbitt.

A World War II red granite bench was dedicated for Leroy and Agatha Carlson by their sons, Ned and Dave Carlson.

(Contributed photos)