Volunteers install 245 memorial bricks at Veterans Memorial Park

Rolla native James Jones and his masonry crew, Ryan Davis and John Sharp generously volunteered their time and talent on Friday, Jan. 18 at Veterans Memorial Park installing 245 memorial bricks around the perimeter of the U.S. Armed Forces Pentagon Monument.

The bricks, which were purchased by the public as memorials to friends, relatives and loved ones, will bring the total to 465 when the project is finished. Jones and his crew completed the initial stone and brick work for the U.S. Armed Forces Pentagon in the fall of 2012. The masonry team is also placing a beautiful stone facade around the two large pillars that will serve as part of a gateway entrance to the 11-acre Veterans Memorial Park (located on Southview Drive off Hwy. 72). The pillars were constructed by Rolla resident Nate Potrafka as an Eagle Scout project he worked on in the fall of 2012. Several members of the South Central Regional Veterans Group (S.C.R.V.G.) are providing assistance with the project as well.  
(Rolla native James Jones (pictured left on scaffold) and his masonry crew, install a beautiful stone façade on two large pillars that will serve as a gateway entrance to Veterans Memorial Park. The pillars were constructed by Nate Potrafka as part of his Eagle Scout project in the fall of 2013.)

“The community support, volunteer effort and generous donations for Veterans Memorial Park have been tremendous,” said Jerry Bumpus, Chairman of the S.C.R.V.G. and retired First Sergeant with the U.S. Army.

The next major project at the park will be the construction of a P.O.W./M.I.A. monument. Bumpus said the monument should be completed sometime in late spring or early summer. The significance of Veterans Memorial Park to the Rolla community, although partially completed, has been demonstrated by the success of Memorial Day and Veterans Day services, classic car cruise-ins, a 5-K run, and festivals.

For more information or to make a donation to Veterans Memorial Park, please visit www.scrvg.org or call Susan Hinkle, Treasurer, S.C.R.V.G., at 573-578-2141.

(Jerry Bumpus, Chairman of the S.C.R.V.G., and a retired First Sergeant with the U.S. Army, holds up one of the 245 memorial bricks being installed around the perimeter of the U.S. Armed Forces Pentagon at Veterans Memorial Park. Rolla native James Jones and his masonry crew are installing the memorial bricks over the next few days.)