Posted: 7/18/07
Vet memorial makes a stop in North Branch
 Steve and Margie Benson, parents of Johnathan Benson who died last year as the results of injuries incurred in Iraq visited the traveling memorial in Cambridge where they met memorial creator John Enstrom, far right. Some other members of the Benson family stopped by in North Branch Monday afternoon to look at the monument. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
"They will not be forgotten" is the theme of a traveling memorial that stopped by the Legion in North Branch Monday afternoon. The memorial, a project of a private individual who has not served in the military, John Enstrom, is traveling to the hometowns of those whose names are etched on the walls of this monument.
The final resting place will be at the home of John and Bonnie Enstrom of Ramsey, Minn., and a dedication ceremony is planned for Sunday, Sept. 2, 1 p.m.
Enstrom has created a veteran's park around a manmade lake. It will include a pathway made of pavers bought in honor of loved ones by friends and family of fallen military personnel.
Information about the memorial can be found at the Web site www.veteranslake.com.
Those accompanying the memorial as it travels around the state say it's not a matter of supporting the war or not, it's a matter of supporting the families of those who died.
Along with the memorial is an exhibit of military equipment including a compass used in WWII and also was on the first tank into Baghdad in the war on terrorism.
The Veteran's Park is located at 8702 181st Avenue NW in Ramsey, 3 miles east of Elk River.
The memorial has the support of VFWs and American Legion posts throughout the state.
For more information, call or write:
John & Bonnie Enstrom
8702 181st Ave. NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
(763) 441-4086
E-mail:enstrom06@msn.com
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