The Edina Park Board has proposed a Veterans Memorial for Utley Park, across from St. Stephen’s church and Wooddale Park. The memorial will recognize Edina’s veterans from past, present, and future conflicts and will honor Edina residents killed in action with an engraving of their names. The V-shaped commemorative area will represent victory, and the rest of the memorial will consist of three lit flagpoles, several benches, and space for about 150 people.

Sophomore Sophia Bornowski’s older brother is in the Marines, and she believes it is crucial to honor those in the military. “I would say most people don’t think about people going to war and how that affects them. We should honor them because they are willing to risk themselves for our country; they deserve the highest honor we can give them,” she said.

The proposed cost of the memorial is $400,000. $30,000 will be paid with tax dollars and the other $370,000 needed to complete the project will come from outside contributions as well as grants.  According to Park and Recreation Director John Keprios, “once the funds are raised in their entirety, construction should take about three months. The artist cannot begin making the sculpture until funds are raised. It will take the artist about nine months to complete his work.”

Mr. Keprios hopes the memorial will pay tribute to those Edina residents who have served in the armed forces. “The purpose is to honor Edina veterans and not to celebrate battles, wars or conflicts,” said Mr. Keprios. It is believed that there are 5,000 veterans in Edina. 32 residents have been killed in action, though none during the war in Iraq. The intent of this memorial is to “create a pleasant and respectful place to reflect and to honor veterans,” said Mr. Keprios.
Bornowski believes that this memorial will help our city understand the sacrifice our veterans have made.

“I think it would put veterans into people’s minds…Before my brother went into the Marines, I would not think that much about the army; I pay attention now. With the memorial, [people] would pay attention more.”