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Oklee Area Veteran's Memorial

Plans are currently underway to develop and build an Oklee Area Veteran's Memorial in Oklee, MN.  A group of volunteers has met to explore the design of this memorial and a committee has been formed to establish fundraising goals for this project.  Donations have currently been received in honor and in memory of area veterans.  Members of the local American Legion, VFW and other interested veterans and community members have pledged support of this project.  This tribute to veterans will be located along State Highway 222, which the city has donated for the construction of the memorial, and the goal is to have this tribute to all area veterans completed for the Oklee Centennial celebration in 2010.

Veteran's Memorial Bench Pictures (new)

Veteran's Memorial Pictures (updated)

Veteran's Memorial Updates

August 21st, 2008

  • Support for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial continues as George and Ardelle Olson, Norman Olson and Marlan Olson made a contribution for 4 granite blocks in July.  A block was purchased in memory of Peder and Eddie Olson - WW I, by George and Ardelle Olson.  The brothers and sisters of Alfred Olson purchased a block recognizing the service of Alfred - Marine Corps.  Norman Olson - Marine Corps purchased a granite block recognizing his service in Vietnam, and Marlan Olson purchased a block in remembrance of his service with the Marine Corps in Vietnam.  Donna Bergeron - Thief River Falls and family have made a donation for 2 granite blocks honoring the military service of Willard Bergeron - Army, Korea, as well as the service of Duane Bergeron - Army, Germany.  A contribution was received from Don and Alma Stenberg - Oklee for a granite block recognizing the service of Stenberg family members, Oscar - WW I, Arnold - WW II and James - Korea.  Leona E. Christianson - Oklee has made a contribution for the purchase of a granite block for Jerome Christianson - Navy, Korea.     
  • The first of the granite blocks that were ordered have been completed by Stennes Granite and are ready to be installed in the recently completed walkways.  The committee will be working with Opp Construction to place the blocks in the walkway.  A second order of blocks will be sent to Stennes for engraving.  The website, www.okleecentennial.com has updated photos of the walkways and pictures of the monument and the flagpoles.  The flags will be raised in a ceremony which has yet to be scheduled.  Work will continue at the site as the grass will be seeded and additional work will be done in preparation for spring projects including landscaping. 

August 14th, 2008

  • There's lots happening at the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial these days!  Donations continue to come in and this week we received another order for a granite bench.  This order is from the Nelson family in honor of the military service of Wallace, Norman and Sidney Nelson, and in memory of the service of Vernon and Jerry Nelson.  Granite block orders have been received from Loretta Syrtveit - Oklee, in memory of Irvin Flatgard and from Toni Knutson - Oklee honoring the service of her son, Lee Knutson, in Iraq.  Alice Longtin - Red Lake Falls, purchased 2 granite blocks and writes that she is buying them "in memory of my husband Louis E. Longtin, World War II, U. S. Navy, and my son Mark W. Longtin, who gave his life in Vietnam in 1968."  Ina Burman - Trail, and the Howard family purchased a granite block for Duane O. Howard - U. S. Army, Vietnam.  The family of Roland Asselin - Oklee, including his brothers and sisters, have purchased a block honoring the service of Roland in the Navy in Vietnam from 1967-1969.  A donation was received from Marge Stenberg - Baudette and Mesa, AZ in memory of her husband, Arnold Stenberg, Army Air Corps.     
  • The walkways from the North side and the East side of the Veterans' Memorial site were completed on Wednesday, August 13th, and the next step will be to move some black dirt on the lot and seed grass in that area, and eventually do some landscaping.  The committee is planning to install lighting on the monument and the flags, and future plans include some type of shelter at the site.  Anyone interested in donating to the project can do so by sending a contribution to Security State Bank, Box 69, Oklee, MN  56742.  Updates can be found on the Oklee Centennial website, www.okleecentennial.com. 

August 7th, 2008

  • Several donations came in this week for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial.  Jerome Turgeon - Baudette made a donation for the purchase of a granite block in recognition of his service in the U. S. Army.  We also heard from Jerry Horstman - Shelton, WA who is purchasing a granite block for his years of military service from 1949-1953.  The Paquin family - Oklee and surrounding area, purchased a granite block in memory of Stephen Paquin a Vietnam veteran, and the daughters of Harley Hardecopf - Oklee, purchased a granite block in memory of their father's military service during WW II.  John Brandt - Burnsville, MN sent a donation for a granite block recognizing his service in the U. S. Army.   Elna Halle - Clearbrook, made a contribution in honor of Richard Halle, and Irene Larson - Red Lake Falls sent a contribution for a granite block honoring LaVern Larson who served in Korea and Vietnam.      
  • Work continues at the Memorial Park site and this week Cal Eckstein - Red Lake Falls has donated the use of his concrete saw to complete the finishing work on the concrete slab surrounding the monument.  The concrete paver blocks for the walkway have been delivered to the site and Opp Construction, Grand Forks is just days away from laying the walkway.  The first orders for granite blocks have been delivered to Stennes Granite in East Grand Forks for engraving.

July 30th, 2008

  • Several contributions to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial were received this week.  Betty Melby - Oklee, purchased a granite bench honoring the military service of her husband Tom, WW II and her son Tommy, Vietnam.  Donations for granite blocks were received from Ralph O. Peterson - Auburn, WA recognizing his service in the U. S. Navy, and Joyce Tougas and her children purchased a granite block in remembrance of Ludger Tougas.  Raymond Lessard - Brooks,  purchased 3 granite blocks honoring his own service during WW II, as well as the service of Gerald Lessard, U. S. Army, and Kenneth Lessard, U.  S. Army.   Donations for granite blocks were received from Dorothy Lambert and her family - Oklee in memory of Dewey Lambert, WW II, and from Vicky and Wayne Frazer - Oklee in memory of William Baker, Korean War.  The Turgeon family has contributed to the Memorial with a donation from Kathleen Turgeon - Akeley for a granite block honoring her husband Bill, Vietnam, as well as a donation from Francis Turgeon - Lexington, IL remembering his service in the U. S. Army.  A donation was also received from Marjorie Stenberg - Baudette in memory of her husband Arnold Stenberg, Army Air Corps.     

  • This week Jon Smith donated his time and equipment to level the ground at the site, and it looks like the paver walkway installation will begin weather permitting.

  • The walkway project will be completed by Opp Construction, Grand Forks and will include one walkway from the north side of the property to the monument and a walkway from the east side of the property to the monument.  When the granite blocks that have been purchased are inscribed, they will be installed in the walkway, and lighting at the Site is being explored.  The Oklee Centennial website has updated photo's of the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial, and may be accessed at www.okleecentennial.com.

July 24th, 2008

  • The support for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial continues with this week's donations.  Iona Berry - Oklee, contributed to the Memorial in memory of LaVern Grimm.  The Larson family stepped up with orders of granite paver blocks.  Ernest Larson - Chinook, MT purchased a block for Goodwin M. Larson, Army, WW II - Japan, and Bennet Larson - purchased a block honoring the service of Martin Larson, Army, WW II, Europe.  Ruth Neff - Clearbrook, purchased a block for Engvald Larson, Army, WW II, Aleutian Islands and N. Africa.  Virginia Larson and daughters purchased a block recognizing the service of Virginia's husband and their father, Bennet Larson, Army, Germany.  A donation was received from Truman and Veronica Lothen - Minneapolis in memory of Veronica's brothers Edward Hart, Army, WW II and Emmett Hart, Navy, WW II and Veronica writes "Thank you to all who helped establish this lasting memorial for our military veterans."  Gloria Rustan - Oklee, donated for the purchase of a block in memory of her husband, Richard Rustan, U S Army.  Gary and Barbara Weberg - Wylie, TX sent a donation for a granite block honoring the service of Ervin A. Weberg, Marine Corps, WW II.  A contribution to the Memorial for the purchase of two granite blocks was received from Fred Klasen - Clearbrook for Arthur Klasen, Army, WW II and Peter Klasen, WW II.

  • Roger Asselin recently donated his time and equipment to till the North side of the lot where the Veterans' Memorial is located, and soon the paver walkway will be installed and that area will be seeded.  The granite paver stones which have been ordered will be inscribed by the granite supplier and installed at a later date.  The granite benches purchased by the Harold Cyr family and the Dessellier family are installed and the committee appreciates the support of these two families for the Memorial through the purchase of the benches.  

July 17th, 2008

  • This week's contributions to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial includes several orders for the inscribed granite blocks.  Alice Bluemke - Oklee purchased 3 blocks recognizing the service of her family members, husband Robert Bluemke - Army, WW II, and blocks honoring her sons Allen Bluemke - National Guard and Richard Bluemke - Army, Vietnam.  Eleanor Rock and Duane Carriere - Seattle, WA purchased 2 blocks in memory of Myron Rock and in honor of Allen Carriere.  Mr. and Mrs Wilmer Sevigny - Erskine, made a donation, as did the Dessellier and Carriere families following their annual family picnic.  Fred Klasen - Clearbrook donated to the Veterans' Memorial, and David Austad - Oklee purchased a granite block in remembrance of his service in Vietnam.     
  • On Thursday, July 10, a great group of volunteers assembled at the Memorial Site to pour the concrete gathering space around the monument and the base for the flags.  This group, with Shane Vettleson as the project leader, included Tim Munt, Roy Rystad, Leo Olson, Kenny Sorenson, and committee members Clay Haugen, John Dudycha, Alvin Jensen and Vincent Dessellier and his wife Shirley who served coffee to the work crew.  The concrete pad is colored cement and will coordinate with the paver block walkway that will be installed at a later date.     
  • The granite block order forms have been revised to show that each 3 line or 4 line order will now include 16 spaces per line which means that each letter, dash, number, etc. is counted as one space.  The order forms also offer the purchase of granite benches and those benches will be available at a price of $1,000.00 through December 31st, 2008.  The 2 granite benches which have been purchased by the Dessellier family and the Harold Cyr family should be placed at the Memorial site on July 18th.  The paver walkway is expected to be constructed within the next week as well.  Progress continues at the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial Site and the contributions of those who have donated to the project is making this tribute to our area veteran's a reality!
     

     

July 9th, 2008

  • More contributions to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial were received this week as the Kvasager family purchased granite blocks remembering the service of  Einar Kvasager - Korea, Arne L. Kvasager, Otto Kvasager - Korea, Bjarne Kvasager - Korea, and Olav Kvasager, Jr.  Those purchasing granite blocks recognizing these Kvasager family members are Bjarne and Viola Kvasager, Donna Kvasager, Goodwin and Lucille Kvasager, Anne & Milton Manthei,  Einar and Carol Kvasager, Gerda and Alan Koskela and Helga and Maurice Nissen.  In addition, Howard and Sharon Krossen - McIntosh, purchased a granite block in memory of Richard Krossen.  Vern and Joyce Lussier - Summerville, SC, who are the daughter and son-in-law of George Fournier, Army - WW I, and Donald Fournier, George's son, purchased a granite block in his memory.     

  • The concrete gathering area around the monument was poured on Thursday, July 10, and the base for the 3 flags was poured at that time as well.  The flags dispayed at the site will include the American flag, the Minnesota State flag and the POW/MIA flag.  The next step will be to have the walkways installed.  These pathways will lead from the street on the North side of the monument up to the gathering space and from the street on the East side of the monument up to the gathering space.  The North pathway will be handicap accessible.     

  • The website, www.okleecentennial.com is being updated on a continuing basis and new photos have been added showing the granite monument with the inscription honoring all military.  The 14 spruce trees planted at the site are also shown in the photos at that Centennial website.  

July 2nd, 2008

  • The Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial received a donation to the project this week from the Keith Peter's family in his memory with the purchase of a granite block remembering his years of service in the Persian Gulf.  In addition, Al Riel - Concord, CA purchased a granite block for Lawrence Schacher - Marines, WW II and Tim and Char Lee - Brooks, purchased a granite block honoring the service of Chad Morinville in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 - 2007.   The purchase of the blocks have been a popular item and those purchasing are reminded that the lettering on the blocks is now limited to 16 letters and characters.  That includes all dashes, quotation marks, periods, etc. as well as spaces between words.  Please remember to count any number, letter or other marking as one space. 
  • Work continues on the project and if you have any experience in concrete work and would like to be a part of this worthwhile project you are asked to contact Vincent Dessellier at 796-4814 or Mary Lynn Bachand at 796-5765.  The concrete gathering space will be poured in the next couple of weeks and help will be needed to do the finishing work on the concrete.  The paver block walkway will be installed after the concrete is poured.  Some of the Flag Day dinner success can be attributed to the donation of the meat for the meal by John, Sue and Kyle Dudycha at the Oklee Locker, and the musical entertainment included Sydney Melby,
    Holly Vettleson, Stephanie Smith and Alvin Anderson who is from Thief River Falls. 

     

June 24th, 2008

  • Contributions this week for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial came from Therese and Virgil Radniecki - Oklee, and they send this donation "in memory of Dorothy Fortier in honor of her husband, Rosaire Fortier who served in WW II in the SeaBees".  In addition, the class of 1958, who recently celebrated their 50th class reunion in Oklee, donated money for the purchase of a granite paver stone with the inscription "Remembering Our Veterans, Class of 1958".  There is a sample of the size of the paver stone (8" x 12") at Security State Bank in Oklee, however, the stone will be "American Black" granite from South Dakota and will be a match to the granite monument that's been placed at the site.  There is also a card with suggestions for inscriptions.  Brochures with information for ordering the stones may be found at the bank as well as at the Oklee Herald office.  The stones have been a favored item as the committee has received orders for 25 stones as of this week!  There is no deadline for ordering stones and the committee expects the sale of the granite paver stones will be an ongoing offer.
  • Work at the site continues as Chad Parsley - Oklee, Chad's Landscaping and Lawn Care, has donated his time and equipment to apply grass seed at the lot.  The grass seed was donated by the Oklee Elevator.  The south 1/3 of the lot has been seeded and will be fenced to discourage any traffic in that location.

June 19th, 2008

  • Donations continue to come in for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial and those received this week include the purchase of a granite block in memory of Lester LaJambe by Doris LaJambe, and a contribution to the memorial from Karen Rock - Mentor, in memory of Randy Brekke.  Jim and Donna Rystad and family of Red Lake Falls purchased a granite block in memory of their son and brother, Corey Rystad who was killed in action in Iraq.  Kathy Dulka - Oklee, has purchased a granite block in honor of the Dulka's who have served our country and they include her husband Jim and sons Rick and his wife Jan, and John and his wife Laura.  Byron & Jill Flateland - Arvada, CO and Myles Flateland - Vergas, MN have honored the memory of their father, Oscar Flateland -  WW II with a granite block purchased in his name.  A donation was received from Orlean and Ginny Stoneouse - Oklee, recognizing the military service of Edgar Lerohl, Carl Lerohl, Art Lerohl, Harold (Bud) Lerohl, Robert Lerohl, Elton Rystad, Vernon Rystad, Orvin Rystad and Effie Stoneouse Langie.  The Elton Rystad family including LaVonne Brown, Jim Rystad, Roy Rystad and Barb Weberg purchased 2 granite blocks in memory of Elton Rystad and Roy Slettvedt both WW II veteran's.  Marlin and Anne Hammer - Oklee purchased a granite block in honor of their son, Chad's service in the Gulf War and together with Bloyd and Shirley Ness and Dwayne and Erma Murray, Marlin and Anne have purchased a granite block remembering the service of Melvin Hammer - WW II.  Mike and Audrey Bachand - Brooks and Therese Maxson - Red Lake Falls, have purchased a granite block in memory of Audrey's father and Therese's husband, Ernest LaPlante - WW II.

June 11th, 2008

  • This was a busy week with several donations being received for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial.  The O'Neill children, Leslie O'Neill, Robert O'Neill, Lori Melby, Shelly Rerick and Joanie Bakke have purchased 3 granite blocks.  These blocks are purchased for their uncles, Ralph Lussier and Medore Lussier - WW II and LaVern Lussier - Korea.  A donation also came from the children of Delton Sebenaler as a Father's Day gift to him.  They are honoring Delton with a granite block inscribed in honor of his service in the Korean War.  Lowell Enerson - Osceola, WI has purchased a granite block recognizing his service in the Air Force and Norma Sweet - Blaine, MN has made a contribution and writes "The enclosed donation is for members of the August Lindquist family that served in World War II",  Mauritz Lindquist, Alice Lindquist, Vernon Lindquist and Harold Lindquist, and in honor of Willard Lindquist.  Ray Thorpe - International Falls, MN has purchased a granite block honoring his WW II service in the army and Ken Thorpe's service in Korea.  

  • Work continues at the Memorial site as concrete has been poured for the installation of the US, MN and POW/MIA flags.  When the weather cooperates the concrete "gathering space" will be poured. 

June 6th, 2008

  • A donation to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial arrived this week from Loretta Heuer - Fargo, ND, for the purchase of a granite block in memory of Larry Christianson, her brother, who served in Viet Nam.  In addition, Leona Brekke - Oklee, purchased a granite block in memory of Norris Brekke, WW II, and a block was purchased by Larry and Jeanie O'Neill in memory of Mack O'Neill, WW II. Mrs. R.A. Marvin - Warroad, purchased a granite block in memory of her husband, R.A. "Tut" Marvin, WW II, and Theodore Lussier purchased a block in memory of Joseph Lussier, WW I, who was killed in action.  Bernice Torkelson - Oklee, has purchased a block in memory of Nere Torkelson, WW II. 

  • Don't forget the Flag Day dinner sponsored by the Oklee Community Club and hosted by the Veteran's Memorial committee which will be held on Thursday, June 12th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Oklee Community Hall.  There will BBQ's, beans, potato salad and bars, and live entertainment.  This is a free will offering to benefit the Oklee Area Veteran's Memorial Park and contributions may be sent to Security State Bank, Box 69, Oklee, MN  56742.   Flag Day is June 14th.

May 30th, 2008

  • This has been another good week for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial as the contributions that have been received include orders for granite paver blocks and flags and flagpoles.  Carol Haugen - Oklee has purchased a paver block in honor of her husband, Clay Haugen, U.S. Coast Guard - 1959-1981 and Viet Nam 1968-1969, Larry and Jeanie O'Neill - Oklee have purchased a paver block in memory of Mack J. O'Neill, WW II, U.S. Army.  In addition, a paver block has been purchased in memory of Ludger P. Longtin by his wife Ellamae Longtin with a note written about Ludger's history in the military:  "I am proud to be an American.  We have more freedom than any place in the world.  Being an American is a great privilege, but it also means being willing to shoulder responsibilities to keep America great and free."  These powerful words were spoken by Ludger P. Longtin when he was presented his Prisoner of War medal on Veteran's Day in 1988 at the VFW in Crookston.  During the Korean Conflict he was held POW for 33 months.  U.S. Congress authorized the POW medal in 1987 to recognize POW's from 1917 and forward.  Ludger fulfilled a 20 year career in the U.S. Army, and proceeded to teach math in the Crookston Public School system for another 22 years.  Ludger also earned a Purple Heart in Korea.  Ellamae Longtin, Ludger's wife, has also donated a 3' x 5' POW-MIA flag for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial as approved by the committee in Lutger's memory.  A donation has also been received from Marie Hruby - Fergus Falls, for the  purchase 2 15' flagpoles and the Minnesota State flag as approved by the committee for placement at the Memorial site, in memory of her husband Rudolph J. Hruby - WW II.  Rudolph served in the South Philippines where he earned the Bronze Star and the Philippines Liberation Bronze Star. 

  • The Veterans' Memorial committee is planning a BBQ dinner to celebrate Flag Day with a free will offering dinner to be held on Thursday, June 12, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Oklee Community Hall.  Flag Day is June 14th.  

May 22nd, 2008

  • It was a proud moment for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial volunteer committee on Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:30 in the morning as the long awaited granite monument was delivered and set in place at the Memorial site!  Many of the committee members and other interested bystanders were on hand as the 1,300 lb. base was set in place and the 3,500 lb. monument was placed on top of the base.  The crew from Ness Granite supervised the placement and David Bachand with his fork lift was able to move this monument which measures 6' 4" tall, 4' wide and 10" thick!  Currently the soil around the monument has been dug out and that area will be filled in with gravel so a concrete pad can be poured around the monument as a gathering space.  Don LaCoursiere has tilled the ground around the newly planted trees and the rest of the lot, and the next step will be to put in grass seed which has been donated by the Oklee Elevator.  If anyone is interested in volunteering with any of the upcoming projects please contact Mary Lynn Bachand at 796-5765 or Vincent Dessellier at 796-4814.

  • Scott and Lynda Marvin - Warroad sent a donation from all of the family of Tut Marvin including his wife, Mary M. Marvin and his sister, Mary E. Marvin in Tut's memory.  This contribution is also given in memory of Tut's brother's Frank and Cal, and in honor of his brother Jack, and all WW II veteran's.  This donation was designated for the purchase of one 20' flagpole and one 4' x 6' U.S. flag for the Memorial site as approved by the committee as well as the spruce trees which were recently planted.  A donation was also received from Elmer and Doris Hanson - Brooks in memory of John Kolstoe, longtime Oklee resident.  Mr. and Mrs. Don Anderson - Ada, MN purchased a granite block in honor of Don's service in the U.S. Army, Korean War.  Those purchasing granite "memory/honor" blocks are reminded that the blocks will be ordered in groups of 10.
  • Please watch for information on the upcoming Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial Flag Day dinner that will be held on Thursday, June 12th at the Oklee Community Center from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  This dinner is being sponsored by the Oklee Community Club.  There will be BBQ's, live music and further updates on the progress at the Memorial Park site.  Flag Day is June 14th. 

May 15th, 2008

  • A contribution this week to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial was made by Susan (Melby) Harmoning - Red Lake Falls and she donates "in honor of the three veteran's in my life:  Calvin F. Harmoning, MN National Guard, 1959-1965, Joel W. Harmoning, USMC, 1985-1991, Operation Desert Storm and Kurt C. Harmoning, USMC, 1991-1995."  In addition, Phil Williams and Connie Shetterly Williams - Lakeland, FL made a donation in memory of Harry Shetterly and Howard Shetterly. 

  • The brochures offering the purchase of granite blocks in memory or in honor of veterans' have been printed and are now available at Security State Bank and at the Oklee Herald office.  Questions regarding the purchase of the granite blocks may be directed to Mary Lynn Bachand at 796-5765 or bachand@gvtel.com.  Anyone interested in volunteering to help with upcoming projects at the site may call Mary Lynn Bachand or Vince Dessellier at 796-4814.  This is a volunteer led project and any help will be appreciated!

May 8th, 2008

  • The contributions for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial continue to be received and this week donations are made in memory of 2 World War II veteran's.  David Shetterly - Smithsburg, MD made a donation in memory of Harry D. Shetterly and William Howard Shetterly.  In addition, Lorraine Shetterly - Lakeland, FL sent a donation in memory of Harry Shetterly and William Shetterly.

  • As you pass the site of the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial you will notice that several trees have been planted by volunteers who were busy last week getting 14 Black Hills Spruce planted on the south side of the property.  Once the monument is placed there will be much work to be done pouring a concrete slab around the monument to serve as a gathering space.  This project has received help from volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved may call Vince Dessellier at 796-4814 or Mary Lynn Bachand at 796-5765 and your name will be put on a list for upcoming projects.

May 1st, 2008

  • This week Bradley Hegge - St. Cloud, sent a donation to support the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial.  The family of Harold Cyr - Oklee, purchased one of the granite benches that the committee has offered for sale, and the family plans to have the bench engraved honoring Harold as a Korean War Veteran.  In addition, the following letter was received from Sarah Paradis Overland with a contribution honoring Ron Paradis, "While vacationing in Cape Canaveral, Florida, this past January I had the honor of introducing my grandparents, Ron and Dellas Paradis, to some very special friends of mine.  Among them was Hyun Soon Na.  Hyun Soon Na is from South Korea and she was 12 years old during the Korean War.  Hyun Soon Na does not speak English, but her son-in-law was able to interpret while she and Grandpa Paradis talked about the war.  (Ron Paradis is a Korean War Veteran.)  She explained how she was so thankful for all that the Americans had done and bowed to Grandpa in thanks and gratitude.  I had the pleasure of visiting Hyun Soon Na this past week and she asked me how my grandparents are doing.  She had said she thinks of my grandpa often and all the lives that were lost during the war.  Hyun Soon Na also expressed that she would love to give him a gift of flowers and food to show her gratitude.  In thinking about what to buy (with the money given by Hyun Soon Na) I feel a donation to the Veterans' Memorial at Oklee in his honor would be a much greater gift."  A donation was sent to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial in honor of Ron Paradis from Hyun Soon Na - Alexandria. MN through Sarah Paradis Overland - Garfield, MN.

April 25th, 2008

  • A contribution to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial arrived this week from Mavis Brekke - Fosston, in memory of her husband, Arne Brekke, her son Randy Brekke, and Raymond Brekke and Elmer Brekke.  Donations may be sent to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial, Security State Bank, Box 69, Oklee, MN  56742.

  • The volunteer committee met on Thursday, April 24 and discussed immediate plans for the Memorial site.  Trees will be planted on the lot and the ground around the monument location will be prepared for pouring a concrete slab.  In addition, the lot will be worked and seeded at the appropriate time.  The committee will be looking for interested volunteers to help with some of the work at the site when that work begins.  The monument will be placed by Memorial Day, and on Thursday, June 12th, the committee will be hosting a dinner to coincide with Flag Day.  Please watch for upcoming details.

April 18th, 2008

  • This weeks update on contributions for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial Park includes a donation in memory of Marvin Bronken - WW II from Jake and Cindy Melby - Gonvick and a contribution from Daniel Shetterly, Sr. and Jonah Shetterly - Lakeland, FL in memory of Howard Shetterly and Harry Shetterly.

  • The Veterans' Memorial committee will be taking orders for 8" x 12" granite blocks that can be inscribed and will be placed in the walkway to the granite memorial.  An order form for the blocks is being developed and will be available soon.  Anyone interested in getting more information about the blocks can contact Mary Lynn Bachand at 218-796-5765

April 10, 2008

  • This week the donations to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial were received in memory of Don Johnson, U.S. Army - WW II and his wife Lila (Nelson) Johnson from Annette and Glen Vettleson - Oklee, Tim and Deb Nelson - Thief River Falls, and Elaine Broker - Grafton, ND given to the Memorial by Wallace Nelson. In memory of George Longtin - Korean War, a donation was received for the Veterans' Memorial Park from Leone and Leo Brule - Williams.

  • The volunteers on the Veterans' Memorial Committee have been meeting to discuss plans for the development of the Memorial Park and we will be selling blocks that may be inscribed with information about an individual that the purchaser would like to remember. The blocks, which will be 8" x 12" granite pieces may have a 3 line inscription with 14 characters per line (letters and spaces) for $100.00 or a 4 line inscription with 14 characters (letters and spaces) for $110.00. These granite blocks will become part of the walkway leading to the granite monument and will be placed in the walkway after they are inscribed. The blocks will be ordered by the committee through Ness Granite in Detroit Lakes and orders to Ness Granite will be placed in groups of 10 or more as the orders are received. An order form is being developed and questions may be directed to any of these committee members: Shirley T. Cyr, Vincent Dessellier, John Dudycha, Elmer Hanson, Clay Haugen, Alvin Jensen, Bennet Larson or Mary Lynn Bachand. Other communities have used this method of remembering veteran's in a very effective way as part of their veterans' memorial projects, and the committee feels very positively about this project. Again, anyone interested in purchasing a block may do so by sending a request to Security State Bank keeping in mind the limitations for lines and lettering. A portion of the granite monument has been completed with the etching in granite of an American flag and an eagle, and the anticipated placement of the monument will be before Memorial Day with a dedication ceremony scheduled at a later date.

April 3, 2008

  • Many of the donations this week to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial Park are made in memory of longtime Oklee resident and former Oklee school superintendent, Marv Bronken - WW II. Contributions were received from Charles and Carol Bachand - Brooks, Rose Mandt - Oklee, Ray and Barb Swenson - Brooks, Wallace and Doris Nelson - Brooks, George and Dorothy Lee - Oklee, Robert, Eileen and Thomas Erlandson - Gully, Mary Lou Cyr - Grafton, ND and Larry and Vi Bruggeman - Brooks. Additional donations to the Veterans' Memorial were received in memory of Larry Christianson given by Judith Grudem - Apple Valley, MN and several contributions in memory of Larry from his many friends and family.

March 27, 2008

  • This weeks donations to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial show the kindness of those who memorialized our area veterans. In memory of Larry Christianson - Air Force, contributions have been received from Raymond and Betsy Berg - Cudahy, WI, Loretta Heuer - Fargo, ND, Robert and Barbara Solien - Gonvick, MN, Vincent and Shirley Dessellier - Oklee, MN, Lawrence and Joan Christianson - Sun City West, AZ, Eldin and Alice Okstad - Gonvick, MN, Hazel Rystad - Erskine, MN, Ronald and Ellen Hegge - Oklee, MN, Leslie and Alice Hofstad - Plummer, MN, Jo Lambert - Oklee, MN, and David and Mary Lynn Bachand - Oklee, MN. In addition, Ambrose and Sue Beaudoin - Brooks, contributed to the Memorial Park in memory of George Boucher - WW II, and David and Mary Lynn Bachand made a donation in memory of Marv Bronken - WW II.

March 21, 2008

  • Donations continue to come in for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial. Recent contributions include those from Elmer and Doris Hanson - Brooks, in memory of Lyla Nelson Johnson and Lorraine Nelson Groven as well as a memorial to Larry Christianson. Clarence and Dianne Gagner - Brooks made a contribution in memory of Marvin Bronken - WW II.

March 4, 2008

  • A contribution to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial came in this week from Bloyd and Shirley Ness - Gonvick who sent a donation in memory of Melvin Hammer, WW II. Doris and Elmer Hanson - Brooks, also contributed to the Memorial Park with a gift in memory of Marvin Bronken and Barbara Ingman.

Feb 28, 2008

  • This weeks donations to the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial come from out of state from people who have connections to the area. Contributions were received from Edwin Rustan - Las Cruces, New Mexico and Dellys Rustan Nylec - Potomac, Maryland in memory of
    Bennie Rustan, WW II, U.S. Army and Richard Rustan, U.S. Army. It's exciting to know that people from across the country with connections to the Oklee area as well as local residents are interested in supporting this monument to area military!
    The committee met and is exploring the possibility of offering blocks that could be purchased and enscribed in memory or in honor of someone who served in the military. The blocks would then be incorporated into the Veterans' Memorial. Details regarding cost and size are yet to be determined and will be advertised when the decision is made.

Feb 21, 2008

  • Support for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial continues to come in as several donations were received recently. Ed and Eldora Braaten of St. Paul write, "Please accept this donation in memory of Corey Rystad. Oklee has always had many people who were special to me and made my life better during the many years I worked up there." Several contributions were made in memory of Joan Bronken who was an Oklee American Legion Auxiliary member for several years and was so proud of her country and her husband Marv's military service. The Oklee American Legion Auxiliary made a donation in memory of Joan, and additional contributions in Joan's name were received from Wallace and Doris Nelson - Brooks, Donald and LaVonne Brown, Vincent and Shirley Dessellier, and George and Dorothy Lee all of Oklee.

Feb 6, 2008

  • Additional donations have been received for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial and with the support of contributions this dream is becoming reality! Elmer and Doris Hanson - Brooks, have given a donation in memory of Joan Bronken. A contribution from the estate of Lois Eck was received in memory of Raymond Jensen, and Alice Bergeron of Owatonna sent a donation as well.

Jan 24, 2008

  • This week the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial received support from Salem Lutheran Church WELCA - Oklee in memory and in honor of all veterans from Salem Church.
    The next meeting for the Oklee Veterans' Memorial committee will be on Thursday, February 21 at the Oklee Senior Site. Members of this committee are Mary Lynn Bachand, Shirley T. Cyr, Vincent Dessellier, John Dudycha, Rick Dulka, Elmer Hanson, Clay Haugen, Alvin Jensen, and Bennet Larson.

Jan 9, 2008

  • A donation to the Oklee Area Veteran's Memorial arrived this week from Vearl and Betty Nelson - Virginia, MN, in memory of Lyle A. Nelson. The Nelson's write "Lyle served in the Army in Korea where he was awarded with 2 Purple Hearts for wounds received in action. Best wishes for success in completing a significant undertaking." In addition, a contribution was received from family members Jeanette Carriere Remick, Neil Carriere, Diane Amiot, Mary Jo Mugaas, Bob Carriere, Jeanne Halle and Nancy Carriere in memory of Jeanette's brother and the uncle of these family members, Vernon Hanson, who served in the Air Force. A donation was also received from Margaret Johnson - Oklee, in memory of her dad, Oscar Stenberg, WW I and brother James Stenberg, and in honor of Arnold Stenberg and Donald Stenberg who all served in the military.

Jan 2, 2008

  • The granite monument that has been ordered for the Oklee Area Veterans' Memorial will not be placed at the site until perhaps March. In contacting the supplier of the monument we have learned that the sandblasting of the monument cannot be completed until the weather warms up because the size of the granite is too large to be worked on inside their building with the equipment they have. The sandblasting on the monument will be done outside when the weather warms up, and therefore there will be a delay in the delivery of the monument to the site in Oklee. When a delivery date is determined, it will be announced in the paper.