Second Story: Visitors feel sense of awe at Highground

Whenever I visit the Highground Veterans Memorial Park west of Neillsville, I am in awe of this serene, beautiful place. No words can adequately describe how I feel and what I see. Each experience I have always gives me a sense of wonder and amazement.

I recently visited the memorial park and saw "The Wall That Heals." As I viewed the names inscribed on the wall, I noticed there were carnations placed at sections of the wall. Such a simple act of beauty placed next to the names of the fallen resonated with a sacredness that I don't often feel; but I felt it there.

To make this surreal scene more real, there were a few photos of servicemen framed and leaning next to their names on the wall. Seeing a face belonging with a name made the experience that much more profound and personal. Although I didn't know the man who died, in the photo he was attired in an officer's uniform. He was young and smiling and probably didn't know then his life would end too soon. None of us are ever truly prepared for our own death.

But this young officer was remembered, especially by the person or people who laid the photo of him there by the wall for all visitors to look upon. Such a small tribute has a lasting effect.

Later that day, I toured the Learning Center and viewed the photography of Marissa Roth. Her gallery of photos, "One Person Crying: Women and War" is on display for the entire summer. These black and white, up close photos depict women who've witnessed firsthand the effects of war. Each of their faces disclosed something about them. As I looked closely at them, I felt Roth captured the personality of each woman. Many times the woman being photographed looked directly at the camera, making the observer take notice and remember the photo and her story.

Old women, young women — they had something in common: suffering. From the sad expressions, there was a lasting emotion that emanated from the photographs that will endure.

Photographer Roth captured something beautiful and tragic in these women. She focused on their fragility and genuine strength as she photographed their humanity.

Roth explains her own journey in a personal introduction to her photographic tribute of women and war. This remarkable collection spans years and is exceptional work. Any photographer/artist will be impressed and inspired by Roth's art.

June Thompson is a correspondent for Neillsville.