Page 12 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

There were many changes throughout the years. The three plaques were first moved to the brick area where they could easily be seen and get the recognition they deserved. The two "sick" magnolias were removed, and a statue of a Fallen Soldier was added. This is how Wells Field describes the statue: “The Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross is made up of the soldier’s rifle stuck into the ground with helmet on top. Dog tags are sometimes placed on the rifle, and the boots of the dead soldier can be placed next to the rifle. The purpose is to show honor and respect for the dead. The practice started during or prior to the Civil War as a means of identifying the bodies on the battleground. Today, it is a means of showing respect for the dead amongst the still living members of the troop. It still serves as a method of mourning among the living”.
I discussed all this with Pete Weyrauch, a 28-year Veteran of the Army and highest-ranking officer at Highland Springs, who is now the current Chair/Secretary of the Veterans Affairs Group. The other members are Glee Pitney, Founding Chair; John Macaulay, Vice-Chair/Treasurer; Sam Wilder, the “Brick Man”; Wells Field, Flags/Monuments; Bob Ilzhoefer, the “Eagle Man”; Chuck Middleton, and Jim Pocsik.
This is how Pete Weyrauch describes some of the history of the Veterans Memorial Park and gives us a glimpse of the future:
“The trees were sited without any long-range plan or knowledge of the Veterans Memorial Park to come. As a result, when the wall was designed and built, the trees were improperly positioned, totally unaligned with anything, and the two magnolias were not healthy. On top of that, and maybe most important, nobody knew where the trees and plaques were—they had no visibility.
So, the Veterans Affairs Group made a decision to move them and said that they wanted Barbara Blachly’s plaque at the top-center of the brick layout in further recognition of all that she has done for Highland Springs Veterans. She agreed to have her tree relocated to a nearby location, just to the north or south of the Brick Park. Chris Churchwell, General Services, will provide a new plaque for the tree.
Relocation will be done during cold weather to improve success of move. The goal is the improved visibility for the plaques as part of the brick display.
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