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Veterans Memorial Park
VETERANSMemorial Park
Built to serve as a public place for celebration or a quiet place for private reflection and healing, the Veterans Memorial Park honors veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Forces.
Located on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Broadway Street, Veterans Memorial Park is a beautiful landmark and a source of contemplation and inspiration for all visitors.
This park is the dream child of a group of veterans and has been built through the donations from individuals and organizations and grants.
The focal point of the memorial is a life-size granite replica of the Liberty Bell standing in the middle of a 60-foot-wide pentagon star representing the five main branches of the Department of Defense. The bell and base are about 9 feet tall, about 6-1/2 feet in diameter and weigh about 40,000 pounds.
Nine flagpoles display the flags of the United States of America, POWMIA, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and the Minnesota flag.
Standing in the park are stone memorials containing the names of veterans, past and present, dating back to the Declaration of Independence. To date, more than 7,000 names have been compiled, with nearly 3,000 still living in the county.
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS ▶ Granite tablets honoring all donors who contributed over $200. ▶ A single granite tablet honoring veterans of Alexandria Industries. ▶ Engravings in granite on the base of the Liberty Bell list “freedom, honor, justice, liberty and peace.” ▶ The motto, “Let No Veteran Be Forgotten,” is affixed to the Veterans Wall of Honor. ▶ Special bronze plaques honor John Wedum, Terence Kjos, veterans of Douglas Machine, and combat veterans. ▶ A granite tablet honors Special Combatants, acknowledging names of local veterans exposed to extraordinary hardships while defending the country. ▶ Granite benches recognizing individual veterans – Dorothy Lee, Joe Koopman, Leander Hens, Louis Grosenick, Virgil Batesole, Warren Gust and sons of Gust. ▶ A Veterans Wall of Honor includes seven 24-inch bronze service insignias: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Merchant Marine.
TUESDAY THRU THURSDAY, HAPPY HOUR, 2/4/1’S, 4:00 TO 6:00 FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR, 2:00 TO 4:00 Watch Facebook and Web page for other specials and events. EVERYONE WELCOME! We look forward to seeing & meeting everyone!
Daily Special MONDAY- 4 TO 8 - $2.00 Burger night TUESDAY- 4 TO 8 -
$8.99 A.Y.C.E. Taco Buffet
WEDNESDAY- ALL DAY -
Wraps Wednesday
WEDNESDAY- 4 TO 8 -
Single Topping Pizzas, $6.99
THURSDAY- 11 TO 2 -
Cook’s Choice, HOMEMADE Dinner THURSDAY- 4 TO 8 Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich FRIDAY NIGHT- Salad bar, $9.95 A.Y.C.E. Fish Fillets, $12.95
A.Y.C.E. Fantail Shrimp, $14.95 Garlic Shrimp, $13.95 BBQ Ribs, $13.95 Hamburger Steak, $13.95 (Add mushrooms and onions) Walleye Filet, $14.95 ALL entree’s include:
Choice of Potato, Soup, Salad bar, and Homemade Desserts SATURDAY - Cook’s Choice, BARGO and Meat Raffle (seasonal - October thru May) SUNDAY - Cook’s Choice
51 Main St West Union, MN 56389 | (320) 352-0123
AREA LAKE
Although the size, depth and location of this mythical lake are unknown, anglers continue to report it as the home of the large fish they catch.
LAKES
AARON
Size: 610 acres Depth: 16 feet Features: Shallow with sandy beaches. Public access: South end off Lakes Rd.
AGNES
Size: 137 acres Depth: 31 feet Features: Fishing pier in City Park. Public access: City-owned access on southwest end off Agnes Blvd.; Fishing pier on North end in Alexandria City Park. Named for early settler Will Kinkead’s girlfriend who lived out East.
ANDREW
Size: 922 acres Depth: 83 feet Features: Sandy beaches, spring-fed, popular recreational lake. Public access: Southeast side off Co. Rd. 28 and Lake Andrew Rd. Named for first physician in Alexandria.
BLACKWELL
Size: 307 acres Depth: 42 feet Public access: East side off Country Ln. Named for early settler of Holmes City.
BROPHY
Size: 296 acres Depth: 44 feet Features: Island, sandy beaches. Public access: Northwest shore off Co. Rd. 82 and Brophy Lane. Named for Brophy family, early residents.
BURGEN
Size: 174 acres Depth: 43 feet Features: Small, steeply sloped shoreline. Public access: North end off Co. Rd. 23. Named for William Burgen, who lived on the southwest shore in 1869.
CARLOS
Size: 2,605 acres Depth: 163 feet Features: Access to chain of lakes, clear, deep. Public accesses: North shore in state park off Co. Rd. 38; northeast shore near state park off Co. Rd. 38; west shore off Co. Rd. 11; east shore off Prairie Rd. and E. Lake Carlos Dr. Reports vary, but one story is that lakes L’Homme Dieu and Carlos were named by an early settler in honor of two friends at West Point Academy.
CHIPPEWA
Size: 1,185 acres Depth: 95 feet Features: Deep, headwaters of Chippewa River. Public access: Northeast corner off Co. Rd. 12. Named for Native Americans.
CHRISTINA
Size: 3,971 acres Depth: 14 feet Features: Large, shallow. Public access: Southwest end off Co. Rd. 82. Named for the Queen of Sweden.
COWDRY
Size: 242 acres Depth: 52 feet Features: Small, clear. Public access: Northeast corner off Co. Rd. 82 and E. Lake Cowdry Rd. Named for Samuel Cowdry, an early settler.
CROOKED
Size: 281 acres Depth: 35 feet Features: Quiet. Public access: North end off Co. Rd. 27. Named for its contour.
DARLING
Size: 1,050 acres Depth: 62 feet Features: Water access to chain of lakes. Public access: Access by water from Lake Carlos. Named for Andrew Darling who settled in the area in 1860.
DEVILS
Size: 233 acres Depth: 35 feet Features: Spring-fed, sandy beaches, connects to county park. Public access: Chippewa Park; North side off Co. Rd. 7 and Devil’s Lake Rd.
FREEBORN
Size: 247 acres Depth: 18 feet Public access: Northwest side off Co. Rd. 96.
GENEVA
Size: 639 acres Depth: 63 feet