Park, pavilion planned at U.P. Veterans Memorial

By NIKKI YOUNK

Staff Writer

IRON MOUNTAIN - With a busy construction schedule for the summer, the Upper Peninsula Veterans Memorial on top of Pine Mountain continues to grow.

Dedicated on July 1, 2006, the memorial honors veterans from all 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula who served in the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, and Kosovo. Space has been allocated to honor service men and women engaged in the war in the Middle East.

The memorial currently includes a 30- by 60-foot garrison flag, a time capsule to be opened in 2106, and memorial brick pavers.

Dennis Larson of the Uren Cooper Johnson Post 50 of the Sons of the American Legion heads the project and is excited about future additions to the memorial.

"We're building a park across the street from the existing memorial, a pavilion, and an additional memorial dedicated to those missing in action or killed in action," he said.

Construction of the pavilion and the additional memorial should be completed by the end of this year.

"Excavators are digging stumps out right now to make room for the park," Larson said. "We should be finished with the whole project some time next year."

According to Larson, the park will close at 10 p.m. nightly just like any other state park, but the two memorials will remain open 24 hours a day.

At an open house to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the memorial this week, area residents and service men and women reflected on the importance of remembrance.

"We're so lucky to have brave men and women who fought for our freedom," said Norway resident Patty Langin.

Langin and friend Betty Morstad were at the memorial to find the brick pavers with their fathers' names inscribed on them.

Sgt. Heather Baumgras of Grand Rapids was also present at the open house as a member of the 126 Army Band of the Michigan National Guard. The band had played a concert in downtown Iron Mountain.

"Being here so close to Independence Day gives you a time to reflect on the past and to appreciate what we have, like our family and friends," she said.

Construction costs for the memorial additions are covered by fund-raisers like last weekend's China Beach Rally breakfast and an ongoing Savage Model III rifle drawing being conducted by the Sons of the American Legion.

Member Mark Kerznar reported that 75 percent of the money raised in the drawing will go to the memorial projects and 25 percent will go toward a program that sends care packages to soldiers serving in Iraq.

Tickets are being sold at participating locations in Florence and Dickinson counties such as Leff's in Florence, the Whitetail Inn in Tipler, Jim and Bernie's in Vulcan, Solberg's in Felch, the VFW Post 3674 in Iron Mountain, the American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain, and Saloon No. 2 and the Chuckwagon in Spread Eagle.

Tickets are $10 each and the drawing will be held on Nov. 10 at the American Legion Post 50.

Generous donations from veterans' families and money raised from the brick pavers, which cost $65 each, also defray the construction costs.

Larson estimates that there are about 1,300 bricks currently on display in the memorial.

Carol Larson is in charge of selling the brick pavers and reports that soon families will have a choice of three different sized bricks to commemorate their loved one. Prices for these bricks have not yet been established.

Any questions about the brick pavers can be directed to Dale or Carol Larson at 774-0142.

Nikki Younk's e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.