Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

April 15, 2009, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Legacy Stone Placements to be held

The first 2009 Legacy Stone placement will be held Saturday, April 18, at 1 p.m. at The Highground.

Everyone has a favorite story from The Highground – one that reaches inside a person and touches his or her soul, whether it comes from the park’s beginning with Tom and Jack, alone together on a battlefield in Vietnam, or more recently of the Gold Star Families that have come to know the healing touch of The Highground.  Maybe a person’s favorite memory is of the school kids’ visiting The Highground who then realizes the nation’s freedom is not free.

Nearly every day, visitors come to The Highground and share a story about loved ones who served the country.  Ten times each year, The Highground places stones in honor of those loved ones.

The Highground’s mission of healing and education guides individuals to honor those who didn’t live to see their stone placed or those who feel forgotten and unappreciated.  The Highground honors individuals, families, dedicated volunteers and veterans who responsibility it was – and is – to keep peace in a world consumed with conflict.

The Highground shares its stories about tough times and good times with everyone it communicates with to help heal the past by bringing its lessons into The Highground’s vision of the future.

Whether a loved one is on active duty, discharged, retired or has made the ultimate sacrifice, The Highground is truly united in its efforts to honor him or her. Sometimes, the stories are too painful to share, and the burdens are too heavy to bear, but if those brave soldiers read the real message on the stones, it means the world to them to see one simple word, “Thanks.”

Legacy stone placements will be held April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 22, Sept. 12 and Oct. 3 at The Highground (in 2009).

Korean Tribute Stones will be placed June 13 and Meditation Stones Sept. 12.

For more information about stone programs at The Highground, call 715-743-4224 or visit The Highground’s Web site at www.thehighground.org

 Legacy Stone to be placed this weekend

The Ringstad family poses with a Legacy Stone they placed at The Highground in honor of R. James Ringstad during one of the 2008 Legacy Stone placements.  This year’s first Legacy Stone placement will be held Saturday, April 18, at The Highground. (Contributed photo)