WEST POINT, NE — Honoring veterans is a common desire across Nebraska with monuments in most counties and towns. But, Cuming County wants to be different. They want their monument to do more. The realization of those goals is taking shape right now in downtown West Point.
“From the very beginning we wanted it to be unique,” committee member Jason Minnick said. “We were trying to design and develop the best one around. Up to this point I think we’re accomplishing that.”
The idea started with Phil Burns and Harold Schmader chatting about what to do with the lot north of F&M Bank, it developed into a 13-member committee by May 2016, now 1.5 years later American Veterans Park is through its first phase of construction and standing proud.
Minnick says the unique part of the park is its mission of honoring four things: God, family, country and veterans.
“We’re not focusing solely on the veteran,” Minnick said. “We’re also recognizing their families that have had to deal with a service member in the military.”
He thinks the defining characteristic of the park is the cross outlined in the flatwork.
“This is a very church-oriented area so we felt having the cross as the backbone was very important,” Minnick said.
The Park has two phases left before the project is complete. People can donate by visiting the website https://americanveteranspark.com/. The committee is planning to dedicate the Park on Veterans' Day 2018.
