Hundreds gather for dedication of American Veterans Park in West Point
West Point, NE — In a small town in northeast Nebraska, hundreds braved the cold for the dedication of a new American Veterans Park.
Located in West Point, this new memorial is a tribute to Veterans here and all across the U.S.
I stopped by the ceremony to meet the people who made this memorial come to life.
It took three years in the making and now it's finally here.
"From day one it's been about the veterans," said Rick Wimer, AVP Co-Chairman.
The brand new American Veteran's Park on Main Street is the sight to see, honoring the men and women who served in the military for a little while or for a lifetime.
"We worked on it for so long. Seeing all the people come together, see how it turned out, just awesome," said Bernie Hunke, AVP Co-Chairman.
Sunday afternoon, hundreds united for the dedication ceremony, paying tribute to the American heroes from Nebraska, and across the country.
Community, military, and government officials spoke at the special event, including Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley.
John Fagot, a West Point Central Catholic graduate, and now retired US Air Force Brigadier General said, the memorial comes with a powerful message.
"It will be a place of hollowed ground where those that have served, those families that have served and also the community can come and have a place and understand that freedom is not free," said Fagot.
The sight which was formerly a vacant house, now comes with bronze sculptures, granite spires and flags representing each military branch, and a Wall of Honor, which features 600 veterans.
"We have no boundaries. Anybody that wants to be apart of it, that's why we call it American Veteran's Park, they can be part of this and put their tile here just as everybody else does," said Wimer.
"Freedom's not free. It's all about sacrifice. It is," said Kenneth Hanel, AVP Co-Chairman.
This park was also made possible thanks to the donations which came from 37 different states, totaling up to $1,000,000.
