Selah to dedicate new park to veterans

SELAH -- After months of raking rocks, laying sod and installing a fountain, Selah officials are unveiling the new Veterans' Park at a dedication ceremony Monday. "Unsung heroes of the United States are each and every man and woman who has joined the military," Mayor Bob Jones said about the naming of the park. "That's a very special job, to protect the democracy that we have."

The 45-minute event will begin at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Hillcrest and Crusher Canyon roads.

Speakers include Lt. Col. Leo Pullar of the Yakima Training Center; Debra Howard, the new Selah schools superintendent; and Lonnie James, a Vietnam veteran who works for the state Department of Veterans Affairs in Yakima.

School children will also sing a patriotic song and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I just hope lots of people attend it," Jones said. "I want them to take away an appreciation for our veterans. They gave a lot."

The park includes a fountain made out of basalt rock and six, steel flag poles -- one for the American flag and five others representing each branch of the military. Local veterans will raise flags on each pole during the ceremony.

The park was created from land left over from a road project. The transformation was made possible with the help of 30-plus volunteers and about $10,000 in cash and in-kind donations, Jones said.

• Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 577-7684 or at esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com