Now complete, memorial to be dedicated
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FAIRMONT-- After nearly a decade of planning and executing, the Martin County Veterans Memorial is complete and will be dedicated in a special service this Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Chuck Mixson, a volunteer on the Veterans Memorial committee, said that they first started meeting about it in 2016. He was first contacted by American Legion member Jim Miller.
"They were calling clubs around the county to see if anyone would be interested and it evolved from there," Mixson said.
While Veterans Park was already established in Fairmont, there was a desire to do something more.
"The marker there was starting to fall apart and we didn't feel like there was enough room there to do justice to a memorial so the committee started looking for a bigger area to do it," Mixson explained.
The site, located at 507 Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont, was desirable because it has ample parking. Doug Kahler of Kahler Electric was asked if he would be willing to sell a portion of the property.
"Without hesitation he said he would donate it to us. He and his wife Diana donated the land to us," Mixson said.
The Veterans Memorial committee, which is a 501(c)(3) organization, then gave the land over to the county, because it's a county memorial.
The first step was to put together a design committee consisting of Mixson, Terry Anderson and Bob Meschke. They began meeting to plan the memorial. Ultimately it was done in two phases.
"Everything in front of the wall was phase one, which includes the five ton red granite sign out front," Mixson said.
He explained that the sign was done in red as it symbolizes blood shed for the country. The sign is lined up with the 75 ft. American flag pole. In a semi circle surrounding that is a flag from every branch of the service, along with the state flag and the POW/MIA flag for a total of seven flags.
"That sign and the flag pole line up with the center of the wall. The wall is black granite and done in an inverted "V" for valor. We started putting all of the names and donors on the wall," Mixson said.
It cost $200 to have a name on the wall. The person must be a veteran who lived in Martin County at some point in their life and have an honorable discharge. The names have been verified by Doug Landsteiner, Martin County Veteran Service Officer.
On the very east end of the wall, names of the MIAs, POWs and KIAs are etched. There was no cost for these names and they were compiled through research and with the help of Martin County Historical Society Director, Lenny Tvedten.
Three times a year more names are etched on the wall. Mixson estimates there's nearly 1,000 names on the wall to date.
"On the west side we have a wall that's about 24 ft. long and we have our mission statement on that wall, the emblems for the branches of the service and our major donors are listed on that wall," Mixson said.
There are also four statues on the east side of the wall that signifies what Mixson said people see at home. The statues represent a VFW member at attention, an American Legion member presenting a woman a flag, and a small child at salute.
That all entails phase one of the project and phase two includes everything behind the wall. The first thing done in that project was refurbishing the Cobra 327 helicopter, which was dedicated in 2019.
"We had a lot of help from the community refurbishing that and putting it back together. It was shot down in Vietnam, recovered and sent back to the states. It was used then to find people in forest fires and stuff so when we got it back it was pretty singed and burned," Mixson explained.
The helicopter sits hoisted up on a pole behind the wall. Throughout a 300 ft. long winding sidewalk, there are benches for the different branches of the service throughout that people can stop to take a rest while walking the path.
Also back there are six statues that represent World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the three wars fought in the Middle East.
"They represent the major battles we've been in," Mixson said.
Also behind the wall is an outline of a bough of a ship with an anchor hanging off. There's a Navy sailor with his sea bag boarding the ship. A few years ago Woody Woodward donated a ship's bell and a plaque near it says what it signifies. The bell can be used for funeral services of any Navy personnel.
Finally, behind the wall there's a large rock with a plaque of a purple heart on it that reads "all gave some, some gave all."
Just last week, the finishing touches were put on the memorial, which included the installation of the last bronze statues for a total of 10. They were made by Brodin Studios out of Kimball, Minn.
"Our original plan we came up with seven years ago is finally complete; that's why we're having the dedication," Mixson said.
To help fund the project, a State Legacy Fund grant in the amount of $350,000 was given to the group in order to complete the back portion of the monument. The county was in charge of making sure the funds were properly used.
In addition to that grant, the memorial was done with the generous donations of many local businesses and individuals. Mixson spoke of several instances of businesses that either donated labor or offered services at a reduced cost. He also spoke highly of the board members.
One of them is County Commissioner, Richard Koons, who joined the board several years ago and has been involved with the Veterans Memorial since then.
"We're thrilled. We've been waiting for the last statue for almost two years and we're thrilled to have it completed. It's a nice park and it's something we have supported through and through," Koons said.
The dedication ceremony will consist of a welcome and introduction from committee member Terry Anderson, followed by a rifle salute by the VFW Post 1222. There will be an opening prayer by Chaplin Diekman and the Star Spangled Banner will be played by the Fairmont High School band.
The speaker will be Iowa native William Albrecht, author of "Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate."
Following the ceremony, a meal will be available for purchase.
"We sent (free) tickets to all of our major contributors," Mixson said. "The general public will be able to purchase pork chops on a stick, chips and a water for $10."
Mixson and all others who have poured so much time and attention into the project hope for a good turnout to support the project.
"Eight years. It took a lot longer than I thought. I'm relieved that it's done but proud to be a part of it. I think it will be here a long time and really contribute to the community," Mixson said.