November 11 is Veterans’ Day when we honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. The day commemorates the end of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany during the First World War which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and wars still are waged today.
One of the neatest memorials to veterans is The Highground outside of Neillsville. What initially started out as a memorial to Wisconsin’s Vietnam veterans has evolved into an amazing site with tributes to women veterans, Native American Vietnam veterans, WWI, WWII, and Korean War veterans, and families that supported and lost loves ones through the Gold Star Tribute and Fountain of Tears.
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| Historic marker |
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| Inscription in a plaza stone |
The sculpture honoring the service and sacrifices of the Vietnam veterans was the first memorial in the country to include a woman. Bronze chimes, inscribed with the names of each Wisconsin Vietnam casualty, sound in the wind under the woman’s poncho that flows out from the back of the other three figures in the sculpture. My friend, Walter, himself a veteran, worked hard to raise money to fund the sculpture back in the 1980s.
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| Fragments: Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Tribute |
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| The GI's tears flow through the fountain.... |
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| into the pond behind the wife and child of the fallen soldier. |
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| Dove sculpture in the Meditation Garden |
The Highground is a peaceful place with its effigy mound, meditation garden, and walking trails. It also offers an incredible panoramic view of central Wisconsin. Because The Highground is open year-round, any season is a good time to visit.
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