On Saturday, May 19, 2018 a stone dedication ceremony took place at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park near Neillsville, Wisconsin. It was a beautiful day to celebrate veterans and be outside! Family and friends came to honor MSGT John C Hauschild of Waupun, WI. 

 Master Sergeant John C. Hauschild was a member of the United States Army, United States Air Force, a Vietnam Veteran having volunteered for three tours and a career soldier who just wanted to fly. But…….most of all, he was Ute’s beloved husband of 43 years; Arnavaz, John and Corinne’s irreplaceable Daddy; and Jonathon and Josie’s sweet Opa. He was and still is our beloved hero. Known as everybody’s buddy, as written in his yearbook, he was a quiet blessing to all that met him. He wanted to accomplish something with his life so in the Spring of 1959, with his parents permission, he enlisted in the US Army. His military career would take him far and wide. It would include going to Vietnam, meeting his future wife between his second and third tours in Vietnam and having a family. He worked so very hard all of his life from when he was a young boy in Northern Wisconsin until he left this world in 2014. A consummate provider and a proud veteran; after his family, his nearly 27 years of military service was his life and he, was ours. More information about Hauschild’s service can be read in the Registry Books in the Learning Center Library.

The Highground is a 155-acre premier manned veterans memorial park that pays tribute to veterans of the past, present and future. We honor their commitment, sacrifice and service. The Highground fulfills its mission of healing and education by bringing past lessons into our hopes for the future. The park includes tributes to veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as a National Native American Vietnam Memorial, a Military Working Dog Tribute (honoring our k9 veterans), the Wisconsin Persian Gulf Tribute, a Meditation Garden, a handicap accessible treehouse, an exact replica of the Liberty Bell, Effigy Mound, a Learning Center (with a library) and 4 miles of hiking trails. Located three miles west of Neillsville on US Hwy 10, the park is lighted and open to visitors year round 24 hours a day.

“More than for all veterans, more than for those who did not come back, The Highground is a place for all of us.” Incorporated in 1984 as the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project, Inc., this grass-roots effort continues only because of the dedication of countless individuals, families, organizations, and businesses who have given of their time, talents, and financial resources. Volunteers and Contributors are the Heart of The Highground. The Highground is a place for all of us.