Page 121 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

LANA VAN GIESEN
FORMER DIRECTOR OF RESIDENT LIFE HIGHLAND SPRINGS
Remembrances of the Veterans Memorial Park
My first memory of the Veteran’s Park was of sitting at my desk and looking up to see Al and Pat Binko and Glee Pitney standing in my doorway grinning like school kids. As I listened, they shared their idea for a space where our Highland Springs Veterans could be honored and remembered. They were full of enthusiasm but short on a way to make their vision a reality.
After that, I remember numerous committee meetings attended by Herb Hoxie, Glee Pitney, Rayford Cade, Pete Robertson, Pete Higa, Brad Keith, Conley Cathey and Ron Genter. Pat Binko may not have been an official member, but she certainly was one of the driving forces with her ideas and energy. I was grateful that Glee Pitney was present because I remembered the talent he had for writing By-Laws and organizing groups and he did not disappoint.
It sounds simple now to read Rosian’s description of the benches, their design and placement but, trust me, those decisions took many serious hours of debate! What a brilliant idea it was to design them with no backs so people who wanted to sit and meditate could face any of the several beautiful views available.
The first order of bricks arrived on the flat bed of a big truck and no one could tell the driver where to put them or how they would be installed! Executive Director Matt Neville once again came to the rescue by finding a storage place and asking the landscape people to assist in this project. In fact, Matt gave leadership every step of the way and even though his first gift of land was too small, he soon realized these Veterans had big plans and needed more space. It took a bit longer for him to catch the vision of the flagpole but it was hard to say “no” to these Vets!
One of the biggest honors of my life was being invited to purchase a brick to honor my Dad, James E. Dice WWII Medic. It is still emotional for me to stand and look at his brick placed alongside all those others who fought so bravely so the rest of us could have a better life. I thank the committee members for this courtesy.
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