General Information

The Rock County Veterans Memorial – a gift from Warren Herreid II and his wife Jeannine Rivet through their K.A.H.R. Foundation – was created as a visible expression of appreciation for the contributions of Rock County residents who served the country.

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Groundbreaking for the memorial took place during a snowstorm on March 1, 2007 and was dedicated durning a Memorial Ceremony that same year.

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It is situated on the south lawn of the Courthouse Square. The memorial features a life-size bronze statue of an uniformed veteran, "Poppie," who sits on one of five granite benches. Each bench faces one of the five points of a 32-foot granite star embedded in the pavement.

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An 18 feet tall obelisk, made of five-sided black granite. The five sides face the five benches. Engraved on the side are the names of local veterans who died in service.

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To the north of the obelisk will be a wall honoring MIA/POWs. The flags of the five branches of the American Armed Forces will fly above the memorial.

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More than 1500, engraved with veterans’ names along with years of service and the branch served while in the military, encircle the memorial.

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Pavers were purchased by or for resident who live or have lived in Rock County and were honorably discharged from the armed forces or are currently serving in active duty.

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The K.A.H.R. Foundation gave the Rock County Commissioners control over funds that will be used to maintain the grounds. The Commission appointed a committee to be known as the Veterans Memorial Advisory Committee.

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Original committee members were Rick Peterson, Annabelle Frakes, Bill DeBates, Wendell Erickson, Gregg Gropel and Warren Herreid Sr.