On Saturday, August 17, 2024, 106 motorcycle riders came together at The Highground for the 24th Annual Ride to Remember® in Neillsville Wisconsin.  The Ride to Remember was based entirely at The Highground this year, which contributed to the overall spirit…

The Highground’s Annual Education Days event will offer two programs to enrich their educational mission. Two days will be dedicated to the traditional “5th Grade Tour of The Highground” along with two days of programs for students in middle school…

The Fall “Vets & Guitars” 10-week session will begin Thursday, September 12 at The Highground. This program is offered to military veterans free of charge. Art and music programs have been found to be helpful to many veterans who are…

Honoring, remembering and respecting those who served in the Vietnam War was the founding mission of The Highground nearly 40 years ago. On Sunday, August 4, The Highground hosted a very special day for these veterans, The Highground’s Annual Vietnam…

On Sunday, August 4, 306 Vietnam veterans and their guests provided a well-deserved welcome to 113 bicyclists and SAG teams from all over Wisconsin as they peddled into The Highground for the culmination of the 40th Annual Heroes Ride Bike…

In observance of USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Day, a group of veterans and citizens will gather at The Highground on Saturday, August 24 to read Governor Evers’ proclamation. Along with them, the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association’s 50-foot inflatable replica of…

On Saturday, August 17, motorcyclists will come together at the Neillsville American Legion Post 73 for The Highground’s 24th Annual Ride to Remember® as a celebration of honor and valor. Veterans and veteran supporters will enjoy riding through Clark County’s scenic…

On Monday, June 24, Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls (https://www.ho-chunkgaming.com/blackriverfalls) presented The Highground Veterans Memorial Park with a check for $2,500 in support of their 2024 Vietnam Veterans Reunion. Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls is a long-time supporter of The…

On Friday August 2, the Southwestern Route, consisting of a family of three, will pack their support vehicles and leave La Crosse to begin their three-day journey to The Highground for the 40th Annual Heroes Ride Bike Tour. This event started…

On Friday, August 4, the Western Route bicyclists will pack their support vehicles and leave New Richmond to begin their three-day journey to The Highground for the 40th Annual Heroes Ride Bike Tour. This event started in 1985 with Tom…

On Friday, August 2, the “Awesome Northern Route” bicyclists will pack their support vehicles and leave Hayward to begin their three-day journey to The Highground for the 40th Annual Heroes Ride Bike Tour. This event started in 1985 with Tom…

On Friday, August 2, the Eastern Route bicyclists will pack their support vehicles and leave Appleton to begin their three-day journey to The Highground for the 40th Annual Heroes Ride Bike Tour. This event started in 1985 with Tom Miller…

On Sunday, August 4, The Highground will host its annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion combining Vietnam exhibits, Huey helicopter displays (a landing is planned weather permitting), a 1pm presentation by Vietnam Veteran and Author Doug Bradley, and an opportunity to meet…

For many Veterans serving overseas, most notably during the Vietnam War, going home was referred to as getting “Back in the World.” “The World” was a place of normalcy, family, everyday acceptable and calm conditions—a place to forget the nightmare…

The Highground will host its second military couples retreat October 18-20. “Operation Re-Connect” invites veterans and their spouses or partners at any stage in their relationship to get away from their daily routines and enjoy a peaceful yet purposeful weekend…

On Friday, August 2, riders will begin their trek to The Highground from four different locations across the state—marking the 40th anniversary of this long-running fundraiser. The history and the people behind this event are what makes it such an…

Nature-based activities are proven to boost mental health, lessen anxiety and add to our physical and spiritual well-being. To harness these benefits, The Highground led a four-day female veterans retreat (May 30-June 2) near Holcombe, Wisconsin. This was the second…

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park is excited to host a Badger Talk by University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Emeritus Doug Bradley on Sunday, August 4 at 1pm. Bradley will present We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam…

On May 27, 176 motorcyclists from across Wisconsin began their ride to honor fallen service members and Veterans for the14th Annual Honor Ride. The Highground hosted nine routes this year: Appleton King/Waupaca, Wisconsin Rapids, Neillsville, Minocqua, Eau Claire, Wausau, Milwaukee/Madison,…

The Highground is thrilled to announce this year’s Male Veterans Retreat will take place Friday, September 27 – Sunday, September 29. Veterans are invited to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and immerse themselves in a…

The Highground’s “Sweet Platoon” of bakers has done it again. The Highground hosted their annual Spring Bake Sale on May 18 in support of this year’s Vietnam Veterans Reunion, raising $1,437 to support the event. The Spring Bake Sale and the…

The Highground will host its Freedom Celebration Fireworks starting at dusk on Saturday, June 29. The community is invited to bring their blankets or chairs to enjoy the stunning display over the plaza. Admission is free, and popcorn and beverages will…

Fifty-eight first-year contributors joined longtime supporters in bolstering the organization’s continued efforts to support Veterans and their families.  Supporters of The Highground from Wisconsin and surrounding states spent the evening of April 13, 2024, with members of The Highground Staff…

For many Veterans serving overseas, most notably during the Vietnam War, going home was referred to as getting “Back in the World.” “The World” was a place of normalcy, family, everyday acceptable and calm conditions—a place to forget the nightmare…

At the time of this writing, The Highground is in the middle of the spring acoustic guitar course as part of the “Vets & Guitars” & Ukulele program. The summer course will be a little different. It will offer classes…

The Highground will host its 14th Annual Honor Ride on Memorial Day, May 27. For thirteen years, the Honor Ride has brought Veteran and civilian motorcyclists together on the day designated to hold those who died in service to our…

The Highground’s Annual Education Days event will offer two programs to enrich their educational mission. Two days will be dedicated to the traditional “5th Grade Tour of The Highground” along with two days of programs for students in middle school and…

Registration is now open for The Highground’s 2024 Female Veterans Retreats. The Female Veterans Ice Age Trail Hike is scheduled for May 30–June 2 and The Highground-based Female Veterans Retreat will take place June 21–23. Veterans can sign up for both…

The Highground is excited to announce that the Spring Vets & Guitars courses are open for registration. The Highground is doing something different this year by offering both beginning and continuing acoustic guitar classes. The courses are free for Veterans,…

The Highground received a $25,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) to support The Highground’s Veterans Retreats, Vets & Guitars and Ukuleles Program and The Highground Veteran & Family Post-Traumatic Stress Peer Support Group. The following is…

What happens when a Winter Retreat is scheduled, and Winter forgets to show up? With the help of many community members and volunteers, and a few adaptations to the itinerary, The Highground Winter Retreat, held Feb 2-4, was still a…

On Sunday, January 28, 2024, The Highground hosted its 11th Annual Winter Bowl fundraiser at Bowl Winkle’s in Eau Claire.   Bowlers of all ages took to the lanes at noon for a fun day of bowling, a chance at…

The Highground Staff and Board of Directors are excited to announce the latest update regarding the organization’s mission to create a lasting legacy for The Highground and those who hold it close.  The $4 million capital campaign has been a…

On Sunday, January 28, The Highground staff and volunteers will again welcome bowlers to Bowl Winkle’s Bowling Alley at 1616 N Clairemont Avenue in Eau Claire for the 11th Annual Winter Bowl. This event has always had a strong following…

The Highground is excited to announce registration is open for the annual three-day Winter Veterans Retreat scheduled for February 2–4, 2024 along with the addition of a one-day Ice Fishing Event on Saturday, February 3 on Lake Arbutus. Both events are open…

Twenty-eight quilts went home with happy winners on Saturday, December 9 after the drawing for The Highground’s Annual Patriotic Quilt Raffle. Over 580 tickets were sold which raised $1,900. These funds will be used for various necessities that assist The Highground…

In this Newsletter:

After months of selling raffle tickets (980 of the 1,000 ordered to be exact) for The Highground’s Annual ATV Raffle Honoring our Veterans, the winning tickets were randomly drawn at 3pm on Veterans Day and all three winners were notified by…

The Highground facilitated its first military couples retreat October 20-22, 2023. “Operation Re-Connect” invites Veterans and their spouses or partners to get away from their daily routines and enjoy a peaceful yet purposeful weekend at no cost to them. The Highground is…

The last Honor Stone Ceremonies for 2023 and the annual Fall Bake Sale brought hundreds of guests to The Highground on Saturday, October 7. The Highground’s “Sweet Platoon” provided temptations for everyone’s sweet tooth with baked goods ranging from miniature pies to…

The Highground welcomed over 800 students from 16 schools throughout Central Wisconsin to the Park October 3-6 for their annual Education Days. This event offers students and the public the opportunity to learn more about the history and sacrifices of…

“If you were forced to leave your country, what would you bring?” This was one of the many questions Dr. Khalil Dokhanchi with the University of Wisconsin-Superior posed to the audience during his speech about International Refugees. Dr. Dokhanchi’s presentation was part of The Highground’s International Day of…

The Highground’s Fall “Vets & Guitars” and Ukulele courses are open for registration. These 10-session classes are free for veterans and are scheduled to meet weekly on Thursdays at The Highground. Both the acoustic guitar and ukulele sessions will begin…

Saturday, August 19, 2023 was a great day for the 100-plus motorcycle riders as they joined The Highground for its 23rd Annual Ride To Remember® in Neillsville, Wisconsin.       With the support from Bill Flemal and Doug Mauritz of…

The Highground invites schools and home-schooled families to take part in the annual Education Days event coming up October 3–6. The Highground will offer two different programs to enhance the organization’s educational mission. Two days will be dedicated to the traditional…

The Highground will honor and bring recognition to the struggles of refugees past and present during the annual International Day of Peace event on, Thursday, September 21, beginning at noon. This is a family-friendly event. Dr. Khalil Dokhanchi, Professor and…

On Sunday, August 6, 122 bicyclists and SAG teams from all over Wisconsin made their final push to conquer the last milestone of their three-day ride to The Highground. Each route met challenges along the way and rallied together to overcome them to complete the…