The Beginnings of “We Ride for WI Vets”
This is great! Almost two years ago (right about when we bought our sweet vroom-vroom: 100th Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide) we learned about The Highground (a Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Park) which exists through charitable contributions to keep the park alive and filled with the honoring spirit our fellow Wisconsinites deserve.
We heard how it is special because it honors all Wisconsinites who have served. Yes, ladies you are honored as well- so check it out! OK, so I digress for a moment to say that this is Maggie, the Mrs. To SSgt. Chris Mongan, USMC 1977-1988 and we are partial to always thanking those who have served. If you ever think you are having a bad day- talk with a Vet and you will be appreciative for their service as well as your diminishing challenges… Anyway, last year we went to explore this fabulous hidden treasure of Wisconsin and boy, were we surprised!
First, the scenery is simply breath-taking (we will get photos in August for you to see). Second, there is something very special about this place- we both noticed when we got off our bike and were greeted by other Vets waiting to share the goodness of this hallowed ground. The feeling kept elevating as we walked into the little shop to get the audio tours thingies and Chris signed the guest book with weepy eyes and left it with a “Semper Fi” (Always Faithful) for all brothers and sisters who have served over the years.
Then the tour began and we learned about why the particular land was procured for this venue. (It’s a central point in the state where it is only a 3 hour drive one way so a Vet could make the visit in one day- considerate, isn’t it?) It’s etched into one of the cliffs in Western Wisconsin so the landscaping of each different memorial has some extremely creative ideas to work with the landscaping. Each memorial is beautiful, reverent, and touching onto itself!
And then, there is the effigy. The greeters tell us that that is the first place all the kids always go to when they come for a field trip and the same thing happens with each group. They say it is the most amazing thing to see the kids all running and yelling as they jump out of the school buses and come to a screeching halt and be silent as they approach the dove effigy. They sense the sacredness of their experience without even knowing… hmmm… Chris and I had a wonderful time cloud seeing and holding hands while we were in the dove’s wing
Oh, and in case that didn’t do it for us we were invited to ring the Liberty Bell- you got it! The bell that lets freedom ring through these awesome hillsides! Now, this bell is big- and heavy. There is a fat tow rope for you to ring it. The first time I did, it wasn’t loud because I had know idea just what type of muscle I had to put into this. So, Chris was near and I asked him to help me… and he did! That baby rang for a good long time across miles of cliffs and valleys- it was exhilarating!!!
Chris and I were impressed with our experience; however, something else happened… Chris felt as if he had found home. Let me share with you how significant this is to us. When Chris was 17 he left home and went into the Marine Corps. Got out and met me Then, he went back in and we were married. After he was Honorably Discharge after his 3rd term we came back to Wisconsin, only to find the job front being less than favorable to a Vet. Chris turned to the trucking industry to provide for his family. Trucking is tough for a lot of reason- the greatest issue is the time away and not really being able to make commitments to anything because of work schedules. Needless to say, Chris’s social life (other than enjoying the glorious Mrs.) has pretty much dwindled- shame too because everyone just loves him So when we were leaving Chris said, “I feel home”. Now this is significant because The Highground proclaims, “People do not pass through The Highground. People come home to The Highground”, and that was that!!!
After we had this profound experience, we pondered all winter how we could help share this beautiful place with others who were unaware… because I do believe it is a great treasure of Wisconsin. We were amazed to find so many others who had no idea this treasure existed either. Now, pay attention- this is where it gets creative: we decided that we wanted to help. The genius (that’s the one of us who wears the bigger helmet, can you guess which one of us that is?), has a moment of brilliance come through- let’s join the motorcycle rally The Highground held in August and we agreed this would be good-even talked another couple into doing this ride with us!
Then… we found out it was a fundraiser for The Highground and everything shifted… shortly after that I learned about building a wordpress blog-yes, we are rookies at this now (so please be patient), we just bought a camera so we have some nice digital photos for you to look at. Simply, he have gone high-tech to share our experiences with you! Why? We decided to step it up and ask for people we know and others who want to support a Vet, his Mrs., to support other WI Vets and their families.
Now, I could tell you more, but why? I suggest you scout out there website so you can learn their story as to what they are all about, but we encourage you to come back-often, and sign up for the RSS Feed so you know when we post— we are going to share more about The Highground and include you in the happenings of our miles we travel to create awareness for this most honorable place.
Our Intention is to raise over $500 in pledges for The Highground during Riding Season 2010.
We will put the miles on, share wonderful stories and pictures about our travels around this fine state and cap it off by going to the Motorcycle Rally in Mid-August to join others who are doing the same…
But, we also need YOUR help: can you please help us share this extra-ordinary place with others? And if you could please either make a pledge for our miles (apparently sore butts equals memorials when we ride) and/or share this with others who would, we would be so honored to have you join us!!! And to be fair because we want everyone to be able to honor their pledge we are going to give you a clue: we rode just over 3000 miles by that time last year. As Chris says, “we ride the wheels off our bike!” Then again, if you are interested in a set amount for our summer’s riding, we will be happy to accept this type of pledge too!!!
We look forward to sharing more about The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, in Neillsville, WI and our rides to create awareness and generate pledge donations for The Highground via the miles we ride. Somehow we will make room for more passengers!!!
Semper Fi,
SSgt. Chris Mongan and the Mrs., Maggie Mongan
“We Ride for WI Vets”
We Ride For WI Vets Blog 