History & Timeline of Soldiers Field and Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
In 1927, the William T. McCoy Post #92 of the American Legion of Rochester MN, bought property from Dr. Graham for $30,000, which then became officially known as Soldiers Memorial Field.
The City of Rochester subsequently purchased it from Post #92 with stipulations as to its use.
The City accepted the Legion’s over-all plan to develop this property as a public park with recreational facilities for our youth that would encourage amateur athletics and would be dedicated to soldiers of all wars.
In 1930, additional lots were bought from William and Kathleen Fitzgerald for $1.00. In February of 1936, the American Legion Post #92, gave the Park Commissioners $32,500 to construct a bathhouse and swimming pool at Soldiers Field.
In 1943, more lots were bought from Kathleen Fitzgerald for $1,250.
On August 12, 1951, the Eagle at the entrance was unveiled at a ceremony dedicating the recreational area to the Youth of Olmsted County.
The Memorial
In 1965, the Vietnam War had been going on for quite some time. Support for our sons and daughters in that far away land was eroding rapidly. Demonstrations at home and abroad were continuing at an alarming rate. Many factors, including our Vietnam War strategy, put our troops in a position where we could not win.
When our heroes who answered their country’s call arrived back in the United States, they were treated shamefully by many of the very people they were serving. It was a sad time in the history of our country.
In 1965, the Rochester Jaycees spearheaded the adoption of the 173d Airborne Brigade. This project was designed to show our support for those who were serving their country so far away from home. This quickly became a citywide project. Jaycees, nurses, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the entire city became involved. Items that could be used for health and cleanliness were collected, filling two train boxcars for shipment to Vietnam and the 173d. Rochester was the second city in the nation to show support for our Vietnam Veterans by adopting a Vietnam fighting unit.
It was not until the 173d returned to Rochester for their annual reunion in 1995 that Rochester found out how important the adoption was some 30 years earlier. Rochester gave the returning 173d the heroes’ welcome that they so richly deserved. They participated in the Rochesterfest parade and all along the parade route the entire city stood and honored those returning heroes.
The Soldiers Field Memorial that you see today is the result of the seed planted in 1965 that started to grow in 1995. The original idea to have a Memorial plaque honoring the 173d grew to include every significant conflict from our Civil War to the Gulf War.
For additional information see the “Story of the 173d Air Borne Brigade (SEP)” on the Memorial Wall.
The first Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial committee was selected by former Jaycees, Wayne Stillman and Wayne Arnold, including recommendations made by Mayor Chuck Hazama. The candidates were approved by the City Council in October 1995.
View Memorial Committee Original Members
Doris Amundsen: Park Board
Wayne Arnold: CPA and Jaycee member during the 173d’s adoption
Richard Brehmer: Architect and Jaycee member during the 173rd’s adoption
Harry Kerr: Olmsted Country Deputy, VFW member, and decorated veteran
Ed Merrell: Olmsted County History Center
Floyd Riester: Chairman of the 173rd’s Rochester reunion
Wayne Stillman: Business owner/Jaycee member during the 173rd’s adoption
Louis Vetsch: Jaycee’s 1995 President
Dave Senjem: Councilman and former Jaycee
Since 1995, thousands of unpaid volunteer hours were spent planning, researching, fund raising, and finally the actual construction. This effort, together with the public’s generous support, made this Memorial possible.
Chairman Wayne Stillman exemplifies the volunteer’s commitment, dedication, and faith in this project. From its inception, he kept the flame burning when few thought that this dream was possible. Although he suffered a life-threatening fight with cancer, he remained the project’s driving force.
Meet our Development Team
General Chairman: Wayne Stillman*
Co- Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer: Wayne Arnold
Co-Chairman Construction: Bob DeWitz*
Walk of Remembrance Paver Sales: Ken Zubay* Rod Lee, Eve Klampe, Bob Sheridan
Dedication Program: Harry Kerr*, Floyd Riester
Major Sponsor Sales: Glenn Miller*, Craig Q. Fisher
Project Awareness: Bob Sheridan*
Wall Graphics Research: Rod Lee*, Harold Perry, Merle Peterson, Pauline Krieger, Bob Sheridan, Chris Stapleton, Jeanette Hinds
Medallion, Buttons, & Pins: Ken Zubay*, Abbott “By Heck” Hoecker (design), Barbara Hight Randall (procurement/sales)
Dedication Brochure: Ken Zubay* – Editor
Button & Pin Sales: Eve Klampe*, Rod Lee, Ken Zubay
History: Ed Merrell*
Military Club Liaison: Harry Kerr*, Floyd Riester
Park Department Liaison: Denny Stotz*
Paver Installation: Lonnie Hebl*, Mark Allen, Merle Peterson, Sentence to Serve Team
Sentence to Serve Program: Lonnie Hebl
Project Design: Leslie Rivas (designer), Bob De Witz, Jeff Anderson
Religious Liaison: Rev. Jerry Barnhart
Jaycee Representative: Steve Beilby
City Government Liaison: Dave Senjem
Wall of Remembrance: Ray Sibley*, Harry Kerr, Pat Lahey, Mike Walsh
Web Site Coordinator: Ken Zubay*, Wayne Herivel
*-Coordinator
The Soldiers Field Memorial “Charge”
In October 1995, a Committee was presented to Mayor Hazama and after discussion, additional members were added. This committee was then presented to and approved by the City Council. A non-profit corporation was then formed under Section 501C3 of the IRS Code to enable tax-deductible contributions.
The committee determined that the Soldiers Field Memorial charge would be:
- Dedicated to all veterans for their service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
- Display the names of service men and women who perished as the result of injuries sustained in the service. Names of the deceased shall be from Southeast Minnesota within a 50-mile radius of Rochester. Names will be added as received and approved by the screening committee.
- Include information regarding the nature of each significant conflict, i.e. Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and other conflicts to-date.
- Show graphic scenes from the Civil War to the Gulf War
- Include a historic perspective from the United States point of view illustrating the significance that war has played in the development of our country.
- Contain flags of the six service branches, the POW/MIA flag, the Minnesota State flag, and the American flag.
- Include and maintain the existing monument structure honoring veterans of all wars and dedicated to the youth of Olmsted County.
- Include a reflective area contain 50 trees (one per state).
- The story of Rochester’s connection to the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
- Names of donors for the construction and maintenance of the memorial will be recognized.
Timeline of Events from Initial Conception in 1995 to Present
June 25 1995
Dave Senjem and Wayne Stillman discussed idea for a memorial
June 26 1995
Wayne Stillman contacted Wayne Arnold with a vision for a Memorial and solicited his help.
Arnold agreed and then Harry Kerr, Dick Brehmer, Floyd Riester were contacted and plans were started.
October 2 1995
Committee formed for Memorial approved by City Council
October 17 1995
Committee meeting to decide if we build a museum or a memorial or both.
October 26 1995
Orientation meeting for committee held.
February 8 1996
Met with Rochester Park Dept to review concept plans
March 1996
Selected “Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Inc.” as our name.
May 8 1996
Park Dept approved plans for Memorial.
June 24 1996
Presented proposal to Mayo Foundation for a monetary grant.
July 8 1996
Mayo Foundation donated $60,000.00 to Memorial.
July 15 1996
Approved by-laws for Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Inc.
July 31 1996
Plans for proceeding with the Memorial set.
August 23 1996
Met with Architects regarding plans to build. Stillman turned down their proposal of 8% fee.
September 19 1996
Announced plans for building the memorial with champagne news conference
October 1 1996
Presented idea for $100.00 bricks for walkway.
November 1996
Formed many meetings with service clubs and organizations.
November 1996
Sent letters to clubs and organizations for donations.
November 1996
Set up a traveling Memorial display.
November 1996
Set up 501c(3) Corporation.
February 1997
Stillman recruited Bob DeWitz to oversee the construction.
March 1 1997
Fundraiser held at RochCheers bar.
April 1997
Trustees authorized paver sales at $350.00 each.
April 13 1997
VFW Post 1215 had a find-raising walk.
May 17 1997
Held fund raising golf tournament.
May 25 1997
Special Veterans Program with our Model there.
June 13 1997
Held groundbreaking ceremony at Memorial
August 1997
Set up booth at County Fair to sell pavers
September 10 1997
Had booth at Golden Generation show.
October 19 1997
Held dinner and auction for fund raiser
October 1997
Kathy’s Pub held a fundraising walk.
November 27 1997
VFW Post 1215 bar held another fund raising walk.
November 1997
Started major campaign to sell pavers.
January 3 1998
Lorence Schroeder won $1,000.00 in drawing.
March 7 1998
Pool tournament held at Char’s Palace.
April 1998
Pavers displayed in numerous locations for sale.
May 1998
Concrete work started on Memorial.
May 16 1998
Set up paver booth at Apache Mall
May 22 1998
Set up crosses at Memorial to observe Memorial Day.
May 25 1998
First Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial
May 29 1998
Fund raising golf tournament held at Soldiers Field golf course.
June 1998
Set up find raising booth at Rochester Fest.
June 28 1998
Fund raising golf tournament ran.
July 4 1998
George Pougiales returned $1,000.00 he won in drawing from all who purchased a paver
August 1998
Set up booth at Olmsted County fair.
September 18 1998
Poured walk for first 1440 pavers
October 8 1998
Bus trip for members to inspect memorials in our area.
October 10 1998
Pool tournament fund raiser at Char’s Palace.
November 20 1998
First time moved the Eagle from existing Memorial, later moved to entrance of Memorial
January 9 1999
Final 1656 pavers sold
May 31 1999
Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial
June 1999
Ordered 2500 hat and button pins and 2000 medallions for sale
September 1999
Cold Spring Granite Co. Replaced 14 granite panels because of matching concerns.
November 13 1999
Fundraiser auction in conjunction with People of Hope Church held.
December 7 1999
Flag raising ceremony held at Memorial.
April 2000
Eagle monument moved to entrance of memorial.
April 14 2000
Minnesota House of Representatives honors Memorial work with a proclamation.
May 5 2000
Final of 2574 pavers installed
May 20 2000
Set up food stand at Sam’s Club
May 29 2000
Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial
June 14 2000
Civil War plaque installed at base of Eagle at Memorial.
June 20 2000
Rochester Fest booth set up to sell pavers, medallions and pins.
June 24 2000
Fifth U.S. Air Force veterans, stationed in Japan from 1946 to 1958, held reunion in Rochester
June 24 2000
Carl Beeler, WW II Veteran walked from Turo, Iowa, 250 miles to the Memorial
June 24 2000
Masons held dedication ceremony at Memorial
June 25 2000
Memorial dedicated in conjunction with 173d Airborne reunion
August 30 2000
School kick off meeting for teachers held at Memorial.
September 25 2000
Charles Lindberg speaks to LST 588 reunion at Memorial
October 2000
Memorial selected for CUDE Award from city for new construction.
November 11 2000
First Veterans Day program held at Memorial
March 15 2001
Engraving on outside walls finished.
May 29 2001
Memorial Day ceremony held at memorial
September 30 2001
Finished installing pavers
September 27 2001
Governor Ventura lays his tree paver at Memorial
November 11 2001
Veterans Day program held at Memorial
May 18 2002
Program featuring Charles Lindberg, last survivor of Iwo Jima flag raising, and Tom Shepers, a wounded Vietnam vet who ran from coast to coast.
May 30 2002
Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial
September 9 2002
Outside wall engraving finished
September 24 2002
Ex- POWs National Reunion
September 27 2002
Ceremony to honor South Vietnamese bench held.
September 28 2002
Charles Lindberg, last survivor of Iwo Jima flag raising attends ceremony remembering the event.
November 11 2002
Veterans Day program held at Memorial
December 28 2002
Candlelight vigil held for POW/MIAs
January 3 2003
Exhibits commemorating Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial and 173d installed at City Hall
April 13 2003
Support the Troops Rally held at Memorial
May 30 2003
Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial
August 21 2003
Scott Nelson selected as sculpture for Woman and Child statue
September 18 2003
Frank Kottschade committed $70,000.00 for the installation of a statue of a nurse. Committee formed to research it.
November 11 2003
Veterans Day program held at Memorial
December 24 2003
The WW-I and the Iraqi canons were refurbished and installed
May 30 2004
Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial
July 25 2004
The 420 additional pavers were installed south of the Wall of Remembrance
September 31 2004
Dedicated statue of “Widow and Child” at Memorial
November 11 2004
First Veteran’s Day program held at Mayo Civic Auditorium with free breakfast served to over 500, courtesy of Canadian Honker Restaurant & Lounge
June 25 2005
Support the Troops Rally II held at Memorial
September 24 2005
Dedicated the Soldier Statue at 6th Street entrance
November 11 2005
Held Veterans Day program at New Life Worship Center with free Breakfast
July 2006
Turned over ownership of Memorial to the City Rochester
July 2006
Gave Rochester Area Foundation $500,000.00 to invest. The Interest earned to be used for perpetual maintenance for the Memorial
August 6 2006
Added 330 pavers
August 24 2006
Installed 2385 Flags in football field behind Memorial
August 26 2006
Dedicated Nurse/Medic Statue with Bob Dole as speaker
September 23 2006
Support the Troops Rally III held at Memorial
September 26 2007
Received “More Than You Know” award for Memorial
November 11 2007
Held Veterans Day program at New Life Worship Center with free Breakfast
December 9 2007
Wreaths Across America program at New Life Worship
November 11 2008
Held Veterans Day program at New Life Worship Center with free Breakfast
December 10 2008
Wreaths Across America program at new Life Worship
February 9 2009
Paid $23,000.00 to the City of Rochester for Memorial maintenance
May 25 2009
Memorial Day Program
July 4 2009
Tomb of the Unknown program at Peace Plaza
November 11 2009
Held Veterans Day program at New Life Worship Center with free Breakfast
December 12 2009
Wreaths Across America program at New Life Worship
April 1 2010
Paid $25,000.00 to the City of Rochester for Memorial maintenance
April 3 2010
Honor Flight to Washington
May 15 2010
Honor Flight to Washington
May 20 2010
Installed last of 546 pavers from Memorial to Cannons
June 26 2010
10th Anniversary program at Memorial featuring Tomb of the Unknown
August 7 2010
Partnered with Kahler Hotel to hold Military Appreciation Day at Olmsted Fair
August 18 2010
Honor Flight fund raising auction at Shorewood Senior Campus
September 6 2010