Page 5 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

PREFACE by Rosian Zerner
I present this labor of love as a Gift of Gratitude to the Veterans at Highland Springs. Your input with histories of military service has been overwhelmingly meaningful and far greater than expected. What started as a one-page article for Voices – our resident newsletter – is now this 131 page book.
The History of Veterans at Highland Springs is divided into three sections. The text portion has been researched through veterans who have been here from the beginning, and others who have spearheaded activities and the development of the Veterans Memorial Park. All the facts have been verified and updated to the best of my ability from inception through the end of 2020.
The second section is a pictorial history, with all the photos I could muster to share with you. They are in mainly in chronological order and show how the legacy of Veterans at Highland Springs evolved, highlighting the people who made it happen.
The third section is your military service history. These stories were written by you, for you. I expect there will be examples where your service takes place in the same branch and at the same place and time as other Veterans at Highland Springs, and you will be able to share those memories together. The Index at the end has been compiled as a cross-reference to help facilitate this. And, of course, there is a page to acknowledge the important people in my life who have helped make this book a reality.
Once this edition is presented, there will certainly be changes to The History of Veterans at Highland Springs, but not to this original book. During the period I compiled this History, some of the veterans with whom I interacted are no longer with us, but their military service histories will live on in this original collection as a tribute and memory.
In years to come, new residents can share their stories, and new developments at the Veterans Affairs Group can be included. My hope is that these stories will carry forward in continuity through future Addendums.
For me, this book is the culmination of at least 1000 emails, phone calls and many months of devotion, and I have interacted with many wonderful people
in the process. The 87 stories you have shared with me will always be a highlight of my life.
It has been a privilege and joy to work on The History of Veterans at Highland Springs. I present it to you as a heartfelt gift of gratitude, with admiration, appreciation and affection.
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