The Highground Veterans Memorial Park hosted their second Female Veterans Weekend Retreat September 11-13. Several Veterans from across the state took part in the retreat with the goal of learning something new to help bring more fulfillment to their lives and make new connections with fellow female Veterans.
Although not continuous counseling events, the Veterans Weekend Retreats are geared toward providing the tools and experiences that many Veterans find helpful in managing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These retreats offer Veterans an opportunity to get first-hand experience with several activities as well as a chance to find new friendships, information, services and hobbies that they can carry forward with them on their journey towards the life they desire.
The Highground was the main location and “base” for the weekend with Veterans being lodged at the Moraine Motel. Activities included: Woodcarving by Henry Smith; an evening Highground tour; a seminar on camping skills and new equipment for everything from car camping to backcountry adventures; Forest Walk Therapy program; Aromatherapy information; Tai Chi; and meeting with the American Heritage Girls group. During their free time, Veterans were able to enjoy the four miles of hiking trails at the Park. Every day of the retreat was filled with delicious food provided by Skip and Debbie Klabon and the evenings were spent around a bonfire at the Moraine Motel.
Christie’s Country Quilts helped the Veterans start a quilt project featuring their personal stories and thoughts on their military service. They will continue to work with the Veterans to complete their quilts which will be displayed at The Highground in 2021 as an important part of the “Women in the Military” exhibition. Sadly, Inclement weather forced us to cancel the Veterans’ visit to UpThere LLC, equine therapy. We look forward to including this important healing activity in a future Veterans retreat.
The three-day retreat was open to any female Veteran of any age and service history and free for Veterans because of our generous sponsors and supporters: Central WI Broadcasting, Cougar Ent/Hardee’s, Fred and Kim Berg, Skip and Debbie Klabon, Nicolet National Bank, Simplicity Credit Union, The Vet Center, The Moraine Motel, Festival Foods, CART Center, Thrivent Financial, Loyal American Legion #175, CHIPS Restaurant, Michele Benson, Larry and Kay Anason, Liz Hamilton, UpThere LLC, Christie’s Country Quilts, Patriot K9s, K & P Orchard, Hiram Cutting family, Linda Imler AKF Martial Arts, Spring Street Sports, Healing Oak Nature Therapy LLC, Julie Diesing, Loopy’s Grill & Saloon, Abby Bank, Gary Karczewski, and John Snape.
The proceeds from The Highground’s Annual Winter Bowl also funds our Veterans Retreats. The 8th Annual Winter Bowl will be held on January 31, 2021 at Rose Bowl Lanes in Marshfield. For more information or to reserve your lane, send an email to events@thehighground.us or call 715-743-4224.
Planning is already underway for The Highground’s 2021 Veterans Weekend Retreats. A male Veterans weekend retreat will be held July 9-11, 2021. A female Veterans weekend retreat will be held September 10-12, 2021. For more information on attending, volunteering and/or sponsoring the retreats, send an email to museum@thehighground.us or call 715-743-4224.
The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Road, Neillsville WI 54456. For information about The Highground’s events, news items and more, visit our Calendar of Events page.