By Maggie DiGiovanni
Elmore/Autauga News
ECLECTIC, ALABAMA – Michael Ray Stanley stood tall with other veterans Saturday at the Veterans Day ceremony in ‘Veterans Are Heroes Park’ in Eclectic. Member of an Air Force family of five children, each of which was born at a different Air Force base, Michael went on to serve himself. However, Saturday’s ceremony was a step toward Michael’s dream of adding yet another section to the wall of names in the park.
Eclectic Mayor Gary Davenport gave the definition of a veteran. “I found this online, and it says everything about our veterans.”
He read, “What is a veteran? A veteran – whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve – is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his or her life.”
Rushenville Baptist Pastor Ron Estes led the group in prayer. Afterward, the Elmore County High School ROTC Color Guard presented the flag. Tripp Edwards led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The guest speaker, Sgt. Stanley Phillips served as U. S. Army Infantry Sergeant from 1968 until 1973. He served at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Ft. Lewis Washington, and Mainz Germany. He was assigned to Delta Company 3/21st 196th Light Infantry Brigade American Division Vietnam from 1969 until 1970.
The one thing that stood out at the ceremony was the number of empty chairs. Our military men and women give their all, no matter what the weather may be. As one person said, “Some give all and all give some for their country and her people.” Why were so many seats vacant for a short ceremony for our veterans?
After everyone left and the grounds were cleared, Michael accompanied EAN to the local Cornerstone coffee shop. There his dream of adding a new section to the park wall, where the names of many veterans bear witness to their sacrifices, came out in the conversation.
A group named Eclectic the Beautiful once cared for the area, but over time the number of members dwindled until funds to keep up the park simply were not available. Meanwhile, surrounding the park, trees, grass, and weeds took over. Drainage became a problem that threatened the base of the wall. Harold and Patty Dunson owned the property. Michael went to them, asking permission to take on the park as a project. They agreed. Michael began clearing overgrowth, watering plants in the park, and keeping it clean.
One day Michael decided he wanted his name added to the wall. That proved to be harder than he thought as it required adding a new section. His dream grew to add other names of those too long forgotten. He prepared to raise funds to help the cause only to discover that it was not as simple as raising money. To put funds in the bank and be responsible for something like the wall, he found he needed an attorney to complete the required paperwork. He found an attorney.
“I had cancer and was recovering from it. I felt weak and unable to do things I normally did. When I became interested in the park, the more I worked on it, the better I felt physically and mentally,” Michael said. I noted that he looked better than when we first met at the Cotton Festival in October.
Life was not easy for Michael on the home front, as his ex-wife became ill and needed care. They moved in together to ensure she had the help required. Even with his life filled with responsibilities, he continued working toward adding the wall. With one man working alone, the cost could be staggering.
For a slab of wall 8 feet long and 4.5 feet high, the price will be around $2,195. Although names added before it is put in place are much less expensive, names added after the wall is set may run $150 each. Each name added then will require bringing a special portable machine to the area and the work is more tedious. In addition to the slab, a concrete base must be laid. Michael wants to find either veterans or family members who want their veteran’s name on the new wall section.
Determined to make his dream a reality, he is planning events at the park, such as a music festival, or perhaps a sponsored motorcycle ride, or a huge yard sale to bring in funds. His excitement pushes him to speak fast, as though ensuring he gets all the information out to whom he is speaking. EAN hopes he succeeds in making his worthwhile dream come true.
If you would like to contact Michael about assisting in this project, he can be reached at (334) 549-6233.
Once the money is raised, and veterans’ names collected construction on the wall will begin.
