Freedom Veterans Memorial celebrates fifth anniversary

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WORTHINGTON — A five-year anniversary will be celebrated at Freedom Veterans Memorial Park Monday evening to commemorate the inception of the park that displays the names of servicemen from Nobles County.

The program will begin 5 p.m. with an invocation by Arlen Foss, followed by remarks from Mayor Alan Oberloh, Mike Kuhle, president of the Freedom Veterans Memorial board, and fellow board member Mike Hoeft.

Board members will be distributing 500 free hotdogs, chips and water to attendees.

“It’s just a little celebration to mark our five years and recognized the recent upgrades to the park,” Kuhle said. “Bring your lawn chairs out to enjoy the day.”

The park has 1,270 pavers occupied and space for about 700 pavers available.

“We have room for growth,” he added.

New to the park is a pathway to the floating fishing pier, which was constructed to fit the ADA Accessibility requirements.

Kuhle said the upgrade costs are borne by the board through donations and fundraisers.

“We don’t want the upkeep to be a burden to anyone,” he said. “We really think we’re done with improvements because we don’t want to overdo it. We just want to keep it simple.”

In the five years he has served as board president, Kuhle is pleased with the community support and compliments the park has received.

“Almost every time I go by the park, there are people out there looking over names of servicemen,” he said. “As far as the community is concerned, it’s really a virtual history of Nobles County.”

Monday’s anniversary celebration is sponsored by Worthington Federal Savings Bank. The event is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m.

Daily Globe Reporter Ana Anthony may be reached at 376-7321.

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