Recently a dedication ceremony was held on September 11 at the newly renovated Flags of Honor, Veteran’s Memorial in Willmar, Minnesota. Lots of positive feedback from the community has been received on the current updates to the memorial. The goal to deliver a respectable memorial which the community can be proud has been met as a result of this project. The planning committee, however, anticipates being able to recognize more local veterans on more pavers as a result.
Vision 2040 Funding Impact
The site, formed and poured concrete, set the pavers, and prepared the landscaping all according to the original plan. Nearly 100% of the labor was volunteer with the exception of the setting of the pavers. The volunteer force was multi-generational in nature with veterans from all generations volunteering to help.
Since the focal part of the memorial is the pavers, the committee felt this paid expertise was necessary. The funding from Vision 2040 was used to pay for the setting of the pavers and to help with the procurement of the focal piece monument in the center of the plaza.
Project Challanges & Success
The original plan to renovate the Flags of Honor site was followed with the exception of removing half of the existing flag poles. As the project developed, the planning committee decided to keep the poles as there was more room for the new plaza than originally brainstormed. Drone technology was used to develop the site drawings that showed the ability to complete the project without removing any flag poles.
Flags of Honor Future
Phase two of the paver sales is currently being planned to fund future site improvement and ongoing operating expenses. There is room for approximately 350 more pavers within the plaza. If more than that is sold, discussions have been in the works with the City of Willmar about extending the pavers down the existing sidewalk.
The biggest lesson learned from this project was to have a better process to receive paver requests and a better quality control process. Some pavers had to be remade due to mistakes not caught in the proofing process.
We encourage the Willmar Lakes Area community to come out to the Veteran’s Memorial Project to honor and remember the community men and women who have bravely served our country.
Vision 2040
Willmar Lakes Area Vision 2040 is a grassroots movement in Kandiyohi County to make our communities better than they were yesterday. Our mission is to support the dreamers and the doers in Kandiyohi County. We strive to create a better tomorrow through supporting projects that are community minded with special emphasis on the four focus areas; Health & Wellness, Communication, Inclusion and Engagement.
Vision 2040 is a collaborative, community-led and driven initiative composed of your neighbors, friends and coworkers.