Persian Gulf Tribute

The Persian Gulf Tribute committee is still looking for anyone interested in working to bring this tribute to The Highground. Please contact Nancy Olson at naolsn114@hotmail.com or call The Highground at 715-743-4224.

The next meeting for the Persian Gulf Tribute will be held at The Highground on September 13, 2008 at 10:30 am.

April 19, 2008

Dave Barth, Welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Everyone introduced themselves and had to say something nice about the person next to them. A new couple joined the meeting today. They are Rob and Roberta Gaier from Neillsville.

Brandon Hensiak read the minutes from the last meeting.

March Minutes were approved.

Additions for Aprils agenda:

Financial Report: Read by Brandon H.

- We Have $10,000.00 from Celeste Kauffman’s essay contest winnings and a matching donation from Land o Frost.

Land o Frost gave Celeste $5000.00 for an essay contest she won. The company also matched the donation with another $5000.00 for a total of $10,000.00.

Financial report approved.

Public Relations:

Nancy contest Celeste won. Celeste told the story she wrote in to Land o Frost.

Also Channel 9 & 18 talked to Nancy Olson about the 5 yr Anniversary of the War. Talked about the Project kick-off Release update, Mission statement, Highground website, and invited the press to Highground regarding the Persian Gulf Tribute.

Voted on Mission statement. There were six to pick from. A hand vote was taken and Mission statement number five received the most votes. Simple majority vote.

"To build with honor a tribute for all branches of America's Military. Who served around the world beginning with Desert Storm, through Multiple Middle East Conflicts. While marching forward in the Global War on Terrorism, may we establish a place of hope so that we do not walk past you, but with you. Let the site be an anchor for education and solace while securing in memory sacrifices made, with hope and prayer the Persian Gulf Tribute will provide a safe haven for all to reflect and to heal."

There was some discussion on changing wording to Armed forces instead of America's Military. It was decided it would be America's Military. Also it was recognized that the (m) in Military should be capitalized.

The Mission statement was approved by everyone.

Design:

Celeste Kauffman and Chris Hiles addressed a concern over using the words Conflict or Wars on the second paragraph. There was some discussion and everyone agreed to use the word Wars. We also need to remember that we need to go by the Highground’s rules: No IEDS or war Machines. Maybe we use these to educate, What an IED is?

It also was talked about putting a packet of pictures for the artist to see and get ideas of what we want. Then send the photos to Design Committee.

Nancy and Celeste talked about an Amphitheater idea for the tribute and have benches w/fallen Soldiers names, Statues, The Amphitheater could be the shape of the Middle East. Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan.

We broke for lunch.

Dave & Nancy suggested we have a banner made that would include a map of the Persian Gulf area, including Iraq & Afghanistan off to one side. It would have “The Highground Neillsville, WI” and “The Persian Gulf Tribute” under that. Joel Brockman said he would be able to get a banner made.

Nancy suggested we have a balloon release and after discussion, it was decided to go ahead with the idea.

Name tags would be a good idea.

Discussed the release of doves, and decided it would be a good idea for something to have at a later date.

The committee members would all get red shirts that have “The Highground Neillsville, WI” and “The Persian Gulf Tribute Committee” embroidered on them. Joel will take care of getting these.

There would be a display table for pictures showing emotions and duties of our military. There would be “words” attached that are part of the descriptive ideas we have discussed using when sending information to the artists.

Kirk Rodman and Gary Weirauch will be asked to attend our next meeting to discuss fundraising.

Dave found out that an eagle CAN be part of the tribute.

Joel and Nancy will attend The Highground Board Meeting on May 17th to present our committee and mission statement.

Dave reminded everyone that we need to continually update his timeline.

A deadline of July 31 or August 31 was suggested to give the artists.

An artist list will be generated at the next meeting, and a press release will be sent out following the information being sent to the list of artists.

We need to have a panel of judges.

Nancy told the committee there is an artist – Eric Olson – that is interested in doing something at The Highground.

Cheryl Lee Patrick told the committee about going on line to www.eventful.com and do a “demand it” for Keni Thomas to come to The Highground.

Dave read a letter from Senator Pat Kreitlow thanking him for the invitation to our kick off, but giving his apologies that he would be unable to attend. Representative Scott Suder was also sent an invitation to attend the kick off.

The committee got to read the essay Celeste submitted to Land O’ Frost for the “Holiday Miracle” contest that won her $5,000.00 which she donated to the Persian Gulf Tribute. In addition to Celeste’s $5,000, Land O’ Frost also matched that amount by donating an additional $5,000.00 Thank you Celeste. The committee had their photo taken with Celeste holding a copy of her story and check.

Dave reported on his trip to Washington DC. He said there were about 425 people. He took a packet from The Highground to present to 10 legislators from WI, as there are matching funds available for certain projects. We missed the cut off for this years budget, but Kirk said to send another packet next year and just keep at it. Dave is to send a list of these legislators to the committee so we can all address them. Dave was also part of the “Vets for Freedom” meetings. They are a non-partisan group that just want to let the troops do their job and win the war.

Next meeting was set for June 14, 2008. 10:30 at The Highground.

Minutes from the last meeting

Attendance: Brandon & Amanda Hensiak, Celeste Kaufman, Marcia Ziegler, Nancy Olson, Dave Barth, Lori Wiggert

Celeste motioned to approve minutes, Nancy 2nd.

Financial – Brandon read balance as $10,460.00. Brandon mentioned sending thank you’s. Highground sends thank you’s. Dave thinks it’s a good idea to send thank you’s from the committee. Dave will send thank you’s. Maybe later on we will have more people help with thank you’s. Marcia motion to approve, Brandon 2nd.

Public Relations – Will do press release at time of artist mailings. Target the artsy part of the newspaper. Will not run full 8x11 sheet in paper, Using 3rd paragraph and add, “If interested please contact Highground”

Veterans Charity Run June 28th. Will need representatives here to accept donation. Have someone here to take pictures. Nancy will take pictures and right up press release. There will be another run in September.

Design –On Criteria page, move IED, Mounted Patrols, Conveys under projector project. Criteria will be sent from Highground. Extend invitation to come to Highground and look at what is already here.

Judges – Lori suggested finding vets to be judges. Celeste will compile list. Final list will need to be an odd number to avoid ties. If you have someone you feel should be a judge please get their contact information to Joel & Janie Brockman.

Artists – Chris Hiles has additional names of artists. Celeste will call Michael Christopherson and tell him what we are doing. Maybe he can network with other artists. Will update date from July 31st to August 30th. Artist will need to explain what it means to them.

Fundraising – Kirk Rodman spoke about success for fundraising. Key is to know how much to ask for. You can always go down, but you can’t go up when asking for funds. Donors know people who will donate so make sure we get referrals. Committee is 3-4 months away from fundraising. We don’t have anything to sell yet. Need to get list of foundations. Dave Barth made up donor list for us to fill-in of potential people to contact. Each committee member needs to fill-in donor list and make sure to include yourself.

Timeline – July is on track, August may be moved to September. Timeline is flexible; if we fall behind for one month we might make it up in the following month. This is just an outline.

Phone Listing – Any changes in contact information should be brought to Joel Brockman’s attention.

Board Meeting – Joel Brockman and Nancy Olson went to board meeting. Board members discussed upcoming events and fundraising. Board is made up of businessman from LaCrosse, Veterans, and Don Quicker. Nancy & Joel presented group and what we are doing. The Board is very supportive.

Agenda – Next Meeting date is July 25th @ 10:30.

Things to get done before next meeting:

Press Release

Mailing to Artists

Highground will have artist list and spec sheet

Judges list compiled

Fill out Sponsor Sheet

Dave Barth adjourned meeting