Neillsville Memorial Home

Pros

• The Highground is a wonderful tribute to veterans.
• The park is a unique and beautiful site dedicated to those who served, a peaceful place for healing.
• The Iraq and Afghanistan memorial is deeply moving and inspires pride in fellow soldiers.
• The Fountain of Tears is a favorite memorial among visitors.
• The experience is very humbling for veterans.
• Visitors find the grounds peaceful and calming.
• Ringing the bell is a meaningful and must-do tradition.
• The memorials are beautifully designed and the grounds are well kept.
• The memorial stone ceremony deeply touches visitors.
• It is one of the best veterans memorials and is well worth a visit.
• The displays are impressive, with accessible facilities and scenic landscaping.
• The museum addition enhances the experience and is a must-see.

Cons

• The bell is loud.

Review

The Highground stands out as more than a park or a collection of stone and bronze; it feels like a living tribute to every man and woman who has served our country. Visitors repeatedly describe it as unique, beautifully designed, and deeply moving. The space stretches across 155 acres of Northwoods scenery, where the landscape itself seems to honor those who served, providing a serene and contemplative backdrop for reflection. It is noted not only for its solemnity but for its accessibility and welcoming atmosphere, inviting both veterans and non-veterans alike to pause, remember, and learn.

A central thread in the responses is the breadth and variety of memorials dedicated to all who served. Reviewers speak of a comprehensive array that includes memorials for multiple wars and conflicts - alongside specific tributes such as the Iraq and Afghanistan memorial and the Fountain of Tears. Visitors appreciate that the park does not segregate the memory of different eras; instead, it presents an integrated panorama of sacrifices across generations. The experience is described as both educational and emotionally powerful, with the memorials serving as poignant reminders of the costs of freedom.

Many readers emphasize the emotional gravity of their visits. For veterans and families, the park offers a somber, dignified space where memories can be honored and shared. Personal stories abound: a ceremony recognizing a fallen brother and 16 others; the ache of loss felt by loved ones who ring a bell in tribute; the resolve to "never forget" those who gave all. Moments like these are described as humbling and healing, with the setting - calm, reverent, and beautifully maintained - providing a tranquil sanctuary where visitors can reflect on duty, sacrifice, and family heritage. The park's calm atmosphere is repeatedly called out as soothing and restorative, a place to "think of them" and let gratitude arise.

The Highground is also celebrated for its ongoing care and ongoing narratives. Tour experiences, often led by knowledgeable volunteers such as a retired Marine who explains each memorial with reverence, are highlighted as informative and impactful. The park's approach - guided tours, well-kept grounds, accessible pathways, and thoughtfully placed benches and picnic areas - helps ensure that visitors of all ages and abilities can engage meaningfully with the memorials. The site's design, including the care with landscaping, views, and accessible infrastructure, invites long visits and quiet contemplation, whether someone spends ten minutes or several hours there.

Education and remembrance extend beyond the stones themselves. Many reviewers note the addition of a museum and the ongoing development of the site as a place of learning about freedom and the price paid in its defense. The park is described as "an awesome learning opportunity that celebrates the cost of Freedom," and visitors speak of wanting to return to see new exhibits as they become available. The gift shop and the sense that the park is largely volunteer-driven - "100% funded by volunteers, with no Government money involved" - are cited as marks of honor and community pride, underscoring the generosity and dedication that sustain this national shrine.

People describe their visits in personal terms that underscore the park's role as a place of peace and solace. They come from far away - one visitor traveling from Florida - and vow to return, to bring family members, and to participate in annual ceremonies. Some speak of honoring specific memories, such as fallen servicemen from particular units or wars, while others emphasize the universal message of gratitude and remembrance that resonates with all who pass through. The park's beauty - its landscapes, its statues, and its reverence - becomes a source of strength and inspiration, a place where the beauty of the Northwoods meets the solemnity of sacrifice.

In many voices, the Highground is described as the best veterans memorial one has seen, a distinction earned through care, authenticity, and a comprehensive, respectful tribute to service. Visitors repeatedly encourage others to experience it: to see the very deliberately arranged memorials, to hear the stories that live in each stone, and to participate in the ritual acts that honor memory - ringing the bell, sharing stories, and reflecting on the meaning of freedom. The overall sentiment is clear: The Highground is not only a place to remember the past but a living, healing space that invites ongoing gratitude, learning, and connection to those who served. It is a remarkable, must-see destination that left many eager to return, and grateful that such a sanctuary exists for veterans, families, and all citizens alike.

Hospitals

• Memorial Medical Center (0 miles)

Places of Worship

• Calvary Lutheran Church (0.1 miles)
• Wels (0.2 miles)
• St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Wels (0.2 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (0.5 miles)
• Assembly of God Church (0.6 miles)
• Hillside Community Church (0.6 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (1 miles)

Transportation

• Abby Vans (0.2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.8 miles)
• Badgerland Taxidermy (2.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.6 miles)
• Neillsville Municipal Airport (VIQ) (4.5 miles)
• Neillsville Taxi Cab (4.7 miles)
• Stoiber Plumbing (18.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Green Lantern Tavern (0.5 miles)
• A&W Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Schmitty's On Main (0.6 miles)
• Drippy Creek Saloon II (0.6 miles)
• Donna's Cozy Kitchen (0.6 miles)
• Subway (0.6 miles)
• King House Chinese Restaurant (0.6 miles)

Parks

• Neillsville Recreation Department (0.6 miles)
• Cliff's Park (0.8 miles)
• The Highground (2.9 miles)
• Snyder County Park (5.7 miles)
• Greenwood Park (15.5 miles)
• Greenwood County Park (15.5 miles)
• North Mead Lake County Park (18 miles)

Pharmacies

• Sniteman Pharmacy (0.6 miles)

Cafes

• The Thirsty Bookworm (0.6 miles)
• Kow Kickin' Cafe (14.7 miles)
• Wilemans Cafe (20 miles)

Physicians

• Marshfield Clinic Greenwood Center (14 miles)
• Memorial Medical Center (14 miles)