All Veterans Park in Lincoln gets a
facelift thanks to local veterans and boy scouts
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[June 21, 2018]
On
Tuesday morning a big labor intensive job started at the All
Veterans’ Park on Union Street in Lincoln. Volunteers representing
the Veterans of Foreign War, American legion, Marine Corp League,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Logan County Veterans Assistance
Commission, and local Scout Troop 1102 gathered at the park early in
the day to begin pulling up the engraved bricks that are laid out
around the large stone memorial in the center of the park.
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The work started early and lasted throughout the day
with volunteers coming and going as their schedule would permit. At
noontime, staff and administrative members for Generations nursing
home arrived with a delivery of food for the volunteers, plants for
the memorial, and a check for $400 to be used to help cover the
expenses of refurbishing the park.
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By 10:30 a.m. work was well underway. Melanie Schaler was on hand
and explained that the work is ongoing. She said that the bricks
were sinking in certain spots and that the goal was to resolve that
problem.
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Michael Downing, Jack Bishop, and Gene Hickey explained that when
the bricks were originally laid down it was on a bed of sand with no
foundation. Therefore years of settling as well as water
accumulation around the monument had cause the bricks to sink in
certain areas. The group will be pulling up all the bricks, cleaning
them and stacking them at the edge of the monument patio area.
![](../images/062118pics/DSCF2412_small.JPG)
The patio area will be dug out and a concrete floor
will be poured. Sand will be laid back in on top of the concrete
then the bricks will be returned to their resting spots.
![](../images/062118pics/DSCF2407_small.JPG)
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Boy Scout William Trent will be working with the
volunteers throughout the process. On Tuesday he was on hands and
knees pulling up the bricks and scraping the excess sand off of
them. The bricks were then handed off to Schaler, who was giving
each brick a good scrub before they were set out to dry then added
to the stack for safe keeping until they can be re-laid.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2018/Jun/21/images/ads/current/Lincoln-Heating-sda-072214.png)
When the concrete is dried and the bricks are ready to go back in,
Trent will also lead the task of cataloging the exact location of
each brick in a journal. There is currently an index of the bricks
in the patio but it is somewhat out of date, and of course, the
order they go back into the patio may be different.
![](../images/062118pics/DSCF2419_small.JPG)
Bishop and Downing also talked about what caused the
bricks to sink in the first place. When they had come out to the
park to take a look at what needed done, it was very noticeable that
the ground around the patio area was higher than the patio.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2018/Jun/21/images/ads/current/peasleymemorials_lda100213.png)
When it rained a lot of the water ran onto the patio
instead of away from it. To correct that problem, the group dug out
the earth around the patio where it was too high and then re-seeded
the grass. Now when it rains the water does not flow onto the patio.
Other changes that they have implemented at the park include the
removal of the ten American flags that stood along Union Street. The
park was originally erected by the Lincoln Amvets. Schaler said that
Les VanBibber had said that at that time, the flags were placed in
that location as a representation of the Ten Commandments.
The group decided to take them out because the poles were in bad
condition, and though very patriotic, the flags also blocked much of
the view of the park, the patio, and the large monument in its
center.
![](../images/062118pics/DSCF2409_small.JPG)
After the removal of the flags, the Eagles Lodge in
Lincoln held fundraisers and purchased a new sign to be placed near
the road.
Talking with William Trent, he said that he had started out thinking
that he would re-do the catalog of the bricks as his Eagle Scout
project. However, that plan has changed. Trent explained that for
the Eagle Scout certification he needs to lead the project, but he
also has to document every step and every piece of work that it is
involved. He said that the book he would have to put together would
be too massive for the Eagle Scout Review Board, so he’s still
looking for his Eagle Scout project.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2018/Jun/21/images/ads/current/stacy_sda_DISPILL_2017.png)
At the same time, Trent said he felt very strongly about helping to
get this park back in good condition, so he has decided that he will
continue on with the project as a community service project.
![](../images/062118pics/DSCN4434_small.jpg)
At noon time representatives from Generations arrived with
sandwiches, chips and cookies for everyone. They then presented a
Check for $400 toward the project.
![](../images/062118pics/DSCN4435_small.jpg)
The check was presented by Generations Administrator
Miranda Witt to Joe and Melanie Schaler representing all the
military organizations involved in the restoration project.
On Tuesday morning volunteers said it was difficult to say exactly
when this project will be completed. It depends on the weather and
of course the number of volunteers they have helping. It is hoped
that by mid-August, the park will be ready for an unveiling
celebration.
Anyone who wishes to help need only show up. Come for the day or
spend an hour or two, every hand will be appreciated regardless of
how much time you have to give.
[Nila Smith with photos by Smith and
Karen Hargis]
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