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To the editor:
On Monday, June 21, the New Ulm Monuments and Cemetery Commission met at the City Hall Council Chambers. One of the items on the agenda was regarding a proposed Memorial Monument for Vietnam Veterans that would be put in German Park. An anonymous donor is willing to finance the total cost of the monument.
Park and Rec Director Tom Schmitz presented the proposal and the stipulations on behalf of the donor. The donor, according to Mr. Schmitz, was very specific in terms of placement of the monument. It had to be put in German Park. Mr. Schmitz named many groups and Auxiliary's that supported this proposal. It was noted during the meeting, and a question was asked as to why the Friends of German Park where not on that list of groups that were in support of the plan. Mr. Schmitz said that was an oversite and that the Friends of German Park were in fact in support of the proposal.
There were questions raised by most of the Commissioners as to if German Park was the most suitable place for the Monument. And I will admit to being one of them. More discussion, questions and answers followed. There were Vietnam Veterans in attendance and they were offered a chance to express their feelings on the matter.
The very last gentleman to speak was the main reason, I believe, why the Commission changed its mind. Repeating his words would not do it justice. To hear it for yourself, and I hope you do, go to Google Search and type in YouTube. Click on YouTube and in the search box type in Monuments and Cemetery Commission New Ulm MN, June 21, 2021. Hit enter. Click on the picture of Historic New Ulm and watch it for yourself.
The Commission unanimously approved the proposal. It goes to the City Council next and I truly hope they accept it. I also hope that the Friends of German Park as well as the citizens of New Ulm see this addition to the park as something positive. Not just for the Veteran's who are so deserving of a long overdue Memorial, but also for what it can do for German Park and the City of New Ulm.
I would love to see a 4-directional sidewalk that meets at the monument with names of other Vietnam Veteran's, living or not, to commemorate their service and sacrifices. If they decide to do this, I will be the first one to purchase a stone for my uncle who was a Vietnam Veteran from Courtland and is no longer with us.
For all of our Veteran's, thank them, remember them and honor them the way they deserve.
Tom Kienlen
Vice Chair Monuments and Cemetery Commission