As Memorial Day approaches, Sheboygan Monument & Stone Works would like to recognize one segment of our local veteran population and highlight the memorial created in their honor. Eastern Wisconsin has welcomed a large number of Hmong immigrants in the decades since the Vietnam war, families with primarily farming backgrounds who fought for the US in the war and had to flee as a result. These families enrich the diversity of our community, but their contribution to the war effort often went unrecognized. The Hmong Mutual Assistance Association of Sheboygan is dedicated to changing that, and invited Sheboygan Monument & Stone Works to be a part of their ongoing project.

In the most recent phase of the Hmong Memorial construction project, we were asked to transform an open grassy space at the center of the monument into an artistic concrete design inspired by Hmong textile arts. This process began with the addition of drains through the existing walkway, which remove the runoff water which previously was allowed to soak into the grass.  Next we applied sealer and a base color to the concrete, guarding it carefully against the changeable Wisconsin Spring weather because the sealant would not set up properly if the concrete became too cold.  A custom-cut stencil measuring 12′ across became a 24 piece jigsaw puzzle, and was carefully installed on site.   The concrete was etched with a sand-blaster to make the design permanent, and a contrasting sealant was applied to highlight the work. Finally, the stencil carefully removed.

The end result is a beautiful monument which honors the lives and sacrifices of the Hmong recruits with a unique and memorable design.  At Sheboygan Monument & Stone Works, this is our goal with every project of every size: to create beautiful monuments for everlasting memories. Let us help you with yours.

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