Although we had ordered the memorial bench for Dad last Fall to be in the area at Lakeside Park where Aunt Carol and Aunt Mary’s benches and trees are, due to COVID and short-staffing the Park system wouldn’t be able to get it placed until this year.
The Park’s Director contacted Lori just before Walleye Weekend and said it would be done sometime after that (first week of June). Well, I walk the park just about every day and always go through that area and hadn’t seen a thing. Until a couple of weeks ago (beginning of August) I noticed they had marked off electrical between the walking trail and the restrooms in that area. Then I noticed a white spray painted rectangular box with a post marking it along the trail where the electric utilities were located. I also noticed a few of the same markings along the trail on the west end of the park along the lake.
This week (Aug 24th) they had cut out and placed two-by-fours to pour concrete in the ones along the lake, and yesterday they had done the same for Dad’s bench, or what I suspect is for his, in the area by De Neveu Creek.
It’s not right by our Aunts' memorials, but it is a perfect spot since it faces the shelter where we had his Celebration of Life and where we had his Flag Folding Ceremony.
On August 29th my Sista, Lori, came to town for a visit. After a stop for lunch at Salty's we went by the spot for Dad’s bench, including our Mom’s bench and memorial tree at Lakeside.
I have also been following the progression of Dad’s bench since then on my daily walks and it appears to be coming along quite nicely.
On Sept. 4th, much to my surprise, when I drove by where Dad’s bench was being worked on, it was completed. I didn’t think they would have done so the day before since it rained most of the day, but there it was. Sitting on it brought back the emotional memories of the day we had his celebration and flag ceremony since that is directly where it faces. Now my walks at the park will feel more complete with both of our parents’ memorial spots out there.
