The Highground Veterans Memorial Assists Families in Placing Korean Honor Stones

Friday, June 27th, 2025 -- 9:00 AM

On June 14, The Highground proudly assisted families and friends in placing 12 Korean Honor Stones at the 11am ceremony, followed by the placement of 26 Legacy Stones and one United in Service Stone at the 2pm ceremony. 

In 2023, The Highground reached full capacity in its Korean War Tribute, leaving many families unable to place stones in honor of their loved ones. Recognizing the continued demand, the organization commissioned an upward expansion of the tribute’s outer wall in 2024, creating space for an additional 144 stones.

“We are thrilled to again be able to help Korean War veterans and their families place their stones. We owe a heartfelt thank you to Borton Construction and Combat Parts for their work on the expansion and the generous donations from our supporters who made this possible,” states Bonnie Pettis, stone coordinator at The Highground.

With immense pride, participants of the “Courage to Heal” Female Veterans Retreat provided the honor guard for the Korean Stone ceremony, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to honoring fellow service members.

Their presence added a deeply meaningful tribute to the event, reflecting the strength and solidarity of women who have served. Among the 12 Korean Honor Stones, three were placed by Korean War veterans who were present to share their experiences of the “Forgotten War.”

“It was really wonderful for The Highground to make room for more stones. We had put off honoring our uncle and thought we wouldn’t be able to,” shared one family member, reflecting on the impact of the expansion.

The afternoon ceremony was equally significant as the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Castle Rock Chapter 729 placed 12 of the 26 Legacy Stones.

Dennis Neilsen, a dedicated member of VVA Chapter 729, has made it his priority to ensure that every chapter member has a stone placed while they are still alive, allowing their friends and family to express their love and appreciation for their veterans and their service to the country. The chapter plans to place another 14 Legacy Stones on October 4, 2025, at 2pm. 

Although many stones are placed in memory of veterans who have passed, The Highground is more than just a memorial. It stands as a place of honor, echoing the sentiment of Dennis Neilsen.

It encourages veterans to place their stone during their lifetime, surrounded by family and friends, allowing them to witness the recognition of their service and share in the experience with loved ones.

For each stone placed, family and friends were given a registry sheet that features the stone’s inscription, so they can begin the record for the honoree. They are encouraged to add a message to the honoree or share a story about them, ensuring their legacy is preserved not only in stone but also in the heartfelt words of those who knew and loved them.

The Highground remains committed to preserving the legacy of veterans and ensuring that all who wish to honor their loved ones have the opportunity to do so.

These honor stones serve as lasting tributes to those who served, guaranteeing their sacrifices are remembered for generations to come. For more information about The Highground’s Honor Stones, please send an email to [email protected], call Bonnie at 715-743-4224 or visit thehighground.us/honor-stones.

For event news and more, visit their website or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.