WHITE BIRD — Sunday morning saw a dual recognition for Veterans Day, with more than 100 people turning out to commemorate the holiday, as well as White Bird’s newly constructed memorial park.
“Oh God of hosts, we bow our heads and thank thee for the victories thou has granted us,” said Bob Black, post chaplain for American Legion White Bird Post 152, “to us and those peoples who have united with us to stamp out the evils of aggression, intolerance, and greed. We beseech thee to bring the blessing of understanding to the families and friends in this and other lands of those who have given their lives that men may be free.”
Walt Lindsey is Post Commander for American Legion White Bird Post 152.
The Nov. 11 ceremony was set at the White Bird Veterans’ Memorial Park, featuring a raised curved concrete block platform set with five flagpoles: for the U.S. flag and for each branch of military service. The 15-minute ceremony included playing each of the service branch’s hymns, a 21-gun salute by the post-firing detail, and the National Anthem.
Post commander Walt Lindsey explained this construction is the first of three phases, the next of which – set for hard completion by Memorial Day — will be the installation of two ceremonial fire pits, two granite benches, and two granite slabs inscribed with 148 names of White Bird veterans dating back to the Indian wars. The park has been set with the underlying conduit for utilities, and phase three will be landscaping, ADA access, and a bathroom.
“We’ve had a lot of donations from the community. A lot of volunteers from the community got this project where it is,” Lindsey said. Key donors for labor and material included Idaho Forest Group, Riener Concrete, Cutting Edge Kitchens, McKenzie Creek Construction and Tom Cullin.
More than 100 people attended Sunday's Veterans' Day commemorative event at the new White Bird Veterans' Memorial Park.
Fund-raising for the park, located on city land donated to the post, started two years ago. Work began in August with volunteers putting in the weekend time to get the memorial ready for fall. Just the day prior to this cemetery, the flagpoles were set, Lindsey said.
The post wanted to provide this as a place to recognize veterans, as well as for community gatherings.
“This is the first thing you see when you come into town,” he said. “We wanted this to be something the city of White Bird could be proud of.”
Lindsey noted Post 152 has 103 members – “and that’s in a town of 91 people,” he said – and has been recognized at the national level as the fastest growing post, “and we’re continuing to grow every day.”
The post is selling pavers help fund the park work, with last orders due Dec. 31. They are $75 (three lines and 18 characters) for a 4 x 8, and $175 (six lines, 18 characters) for an 8 by 8. Contact Walt Lindsey, 208-404-8571.
