Carver County memorial helps
veterans share stories
By Starrla Cray
Associate Editor
From the Civil War to the conflict in Iraq, veterans’
stories are being told through the Carver County Veterans Memorial and Registry.
The memorial will be built at the head of the Dakota
Rail Regional Trail in Mayer.
Each veteran will have a 70-pound, 16-inch-long
paver stone, engraved with their name, branch of service, and era in which they served.
The memorial also includes an online registry, www.
ccvmr.org, where veterans can include a photo and
more details about their service. Anyone who served
in the US military and was honorably discharged can
purchase a paver and submit a story. (Purchases are
fully tax deductible.)
“Veterans don’t need a connection to Carver County,” committee chair Stan Heldt said. “It’s a way for
anyone to have their story told and remembered.”
Some people have been purchasing pavers and submitting stories for military family members who have
passed away.
One example is the story of Henry Wolf, who died
while serving in the Civil War. Wolf, 35, had been a
farmer before becoming a private under the command
of Captain Vander Horcht in the Minnesota infantry
in March 1862. He died just over a year later, July 29,
1863.
To find a veteran’s story, go to www.ccvmr.org, and
type in the last name of the person you’d like to find in
the “search” box.
Veterans don’t need to have served in a war to be
included in the memorial.
“Sometimes men and women who have been trained
in the military but didn’t fight in a battle don’t feel they
deserve recognition, and they underestimate their contributions,” Heldt said. “But, it takes a whole bunch of
people to make this all work. All these people contribute to the freedoms we enjoy every day.”
About the memorial
A monument company in Cold Spring has been selected to construct the lighted memorial, which will
feature six granite stones, three on each side.
There will also be an American flag, and one flag
for each branch of the military. Other planned features
include meditation benches, a glass display case, and
attractive landscaping.
The center will include a spot to honor soldiers who
were killed in action.
Fundraising efforts are underway, and several organizations and individuals have already generously
donated in support of the memorial.
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2016-17 Edition
Roger Sauerbrey of New Germany served as a teletype operator in the Army Signal Corps during the
Cuban stand down. He is one of several members of
the Sauerbrey family featured in the Carver County
Veterans Memorial online registry.
Reserve a spot
To learn more about the Carver County Veterans
Memorial and Registry, to donate, or to reserve a paver,
call (612) 888-6366, or call Stan Heldt at (952) 6572169.
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