Brunsville Area Veterans Memorial dedicated

Members of Heeren-McHale-Wilkens Post 724 Dean Beitelspacher, Gene Pageler, Gene Beitelspacher and Randall Toel unveil the two granite slabs of the Brunsville Area Veterans Memorial dedicated Monday. [Click to enlarge]

Just a year after the idea of a veterans memorial for Brunsville were first discussed, the memorial was put in place.

Members of Brunsville Legion McHale-Heeren-Wilkens Post 724 put together the memorial, which stands across the street from the Legion Hall in downtown Brunsville.

A large crowd gathered in Brunsville on Monday to witness the dedication of the Brunsville Area Veterans Memorial during the Memorial Day services. [Click to enlarge]

"This group felt strongly about having a memorial to veterans in Brunsville," said the Rev. Dan Gerrietts, who spoke during the dedication ceremony. "This is dedicated to all veterans, some who gave their life, and others who gave a part of their lives, all of those who stepped forward for their country."

Brunsville mayor Wayne Schlotfeldt said the efforts of the legion members to put the memorial together was inspiring.

There was silence as each stone was uncovered by Legion members. First the center black stone, etched with the words, "Brunsville Area Veterans Memorial, Heeren-McHale-Wilkens Post 724, Saluting those who proudly served." Six colored disks on the stone represent the branches of military service.

A Legion Rider paused Monday afternoon to visit the new Brunsville Area Veterans Memorial and read the names listed there. Families and friends had 228 veterans' names engraved in the granite memorial, with room for more names to be added. [Click to enlarge]

That was followed by the unveiling of the two granite slabs, engraved with the names of 228 veterans, living and deceased, honored on its two granite slabs. The stones are set on slate gray concrete stamped with a cobblestone pattern.

Etched on one stone, "Dedicated to All Veterans, All Gave Some - Some Gave All" and on the other stone, "Thinking of our Veterans, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

As engraved on the back of the center stone, Heeren-McHale-Wilkens Post 724 was chartered on Oct. 24, 1956, following the conclusion of United States involvement in the Korean War. American Legion posts were formed to provide America's returning servicemen with a hometown organization to support the continued protection of freedoms enjoyed by all American citizens. Post 724 was named for Richard Heeren, Bernard McHale and Edward Wilkens. They are all native sons of the Brunsville area who served during World War II.

The Rev. Dan Gerrietts, pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brunsville and Christ Lutheran Church at rural Le Mars, was the morning's speaker, giving a civilian's perspective of Memorial Day.

"I do know what it means to be thankful for their service and to remember the sacrifice they made," said Gerrietts.

"Communities like this have a long memory," he said, noting many can give a history of who lived where and for how long. "We are skilled historians."

"Two hundred twenty-eight precious lives are honored on this memorial," he said. "They are grandparents, parents, and siblings. Each number represents a real life."

"Pray every day for our military wherever they may serve. And we must also honor those who wait at home," Gerrietts told those assembled.

The Brunsville Area Veterans Memorial came together with many donations, grants and hard work by a number of Legion members.

The group received three grant donations, $10,000 from the Local Option Sales Tax funds from Plymouth County; $5,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County; and $1,000 from the Siouxland Community Foundation.

Spruce and flowering crab trees are planted around the memorial, and were paid for through the use MidAmerican Energy's "Trees Please" funds received by the town of Brunsville.

Businesses and individuals also came forth with donations, as well as goods and services. A pancake breakfast in April was one of the legion's fundraising efforts.

Three 4-H members for the Brunsville area started a citizenship project to put the name of a veteran on the memorial, after hearing about veterans who had no family members to contact about putting their name on the memorial, or those whose families were unable to contribute the $125 to have the name engraved. Their bake sale project, held at each Legion pancake breakfast from November through March, grew with donations and eventually raised $1,250, enabling the names of 10 veterans to be included.

Five Brunsville Legion members served on the committee for the memorial project: Jim Marienau, Dean Beitelspacher, Gene Beitelspacher, Randall Toel and Gene Pageler.

Names of veterans may still be added to the memorial by contacting the Legion Club in Brunsville or one of the committee members.