David Szprejda of the American Legion Post 461 of Pembine, Wis. and Chris Pettis, executive director of Highground Veteran Memorial Park, display an engraved stone to be displayed in the Wisconsin Counties Untied in Service area of the Veterans Park. Pettis will visit Pembine Thursday to do a program about Highground to those interested, veterans and veteran groups are encouraged to come. Call David Szprejda for more information at 715-548-1208.

PEMBINE, Wis. — The American Legion Post 461of Pembine will have an engraved honor stone on displayed in the Untied in Service area at Highground Veteran Memorial Park in Neillsville. The Park, who’s mission is “Honor, Educate and Heal” veterans, families and all who visit, has become the nation’s leading, and largest, manned Veterans Park.

The Park includes over a dozen tributes, a museum with changing exhibits, a gift shop, pavilions, picnic areas and four miles of hiking trails. The Highground hosts numerous events throughout the year, including veterans retreats, helicopter and military vehicle expos, veterans reunions, education days, motorcycle rides and an annual bike tour.

The grounds encompass one state and one national tribute along with many other tributes. The Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Tribute — Fragments — was the first tribute placed on the grounds in 1988. It is also the home of the National Native American Vietnam Veterans Memorial which was selected by the Congress of Native American Indians in 1994.

“Fragments” is a complex piece at the apex of The Highground’s main plaza. Cast in bronze, the statue features a female figure wearing a poncho that signifies the burden of the 1,244 Wisconsin service personnel who died in Vietnam. The name of each of those men and women is inscribed on bundles of bamboo-shaped bronze rods mixed with wind chimes. The individual names are never meant to be read; they are to be heard over the hillsides as the wind blows. None of the figures are complete in the statue as they all flow into one. Much like in war, they are dependent upon each other and strengthen each other. A rifle turned upside down symbolizes that a Medivac is needed. A piece of orange glass embedded in the rifle signifies Agent Orange, a chemical that cost many soldiers their health and lives.

The Park has tributes dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of those who have served in the respective wars: The Persian Gulf Tribute (Desert Storm to present day), The Korean Veterans Memorial, The WASP Tribute, The World War II Globe, The Military Working Dog Tribute, The Nurse, The Gold Star, The Wisconsin Counties United in Service and the replica Liberty Bell.

In addition, there are tributes dedicated to healing which include The Fountain of Tears, The Earthen Dove Effigy Mound, The Ascension Doves and The Meditation Garden.

The Park also features four miles of hiking trails south of the main plaza that include benches along the paths for rest and reflection. In addition, there are three pavilions in the picnic area that can be used for group events.

The walkways of the main plaza are lined with hundreds of granite Legacy Honor Stones that families or groups have purchased in honor of loved ones. These stones help support The Highground’s continuing mission to Honor, Educate and Heal while leaving a lasting tribute to those they wish to honor. Legacy Honor Stones can be purchased throughout the year and are then installed during one of the placement ceremonies that are scheduled May through October. The Meditation Honor Stones can be seen in the Meditation Garden Shelter. Korean Honor Stones are polished black granite to honor Korean War Veterans on the walkway walls and on the rice paddies. The burgundy granite stones are located in the Military Working Dog Tribute area.

In 2018, a museum was added to support the education aspect of its mission. The museum is home to The Highground Archives, which are created when stones are placed throughout the park. Families and sponsors are invited to document the story of the individual they’re honoring with their stone in the registry book. There are currently over 2,000 records that include photos and documents that date back to World War I.

The museum houses various displays and exhibits throughout the year. Examples of past exhibits include Winter in the Military, the Vietnam Experience, Remembrance , Fur, Feathers and Fidelity, Working Warriors and USO/Holidays In The Military.

Reunions are hosted throughout the year for veterans to reunite with other veterans from the same era, sharing their experiences, enjoying the camaraderie and educating guests.

The Highground also accepts nonperishable food, hygiene supplies and lightly used and new clothes, which are donated to veterans in need, homeless veterans programs and military care packages.

The park is free to the public and open 24/7 every day of the year. The gift shop and museum are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter months.

Volunteer porch greeters are available to help visitors get started with an audio tour, answer questions and give them directions to different areas of the park.