Our History
THE DREAM OF A VETERANS MEMORIAL STARTED HERE
The Veterans Memorial Park was incorporated as a non-profit in the State of Minnesota and had 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.
They were an all-volunteer group made up of local veterans from four branches of service: Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. We welcome interested Coast Guard and Merchant Marine veterans to complete our complement of service branches that we intend to honor within the Veterans Memorial Park.
Our volunteers included: experienced bankers, engineers, accountants, and individuals retired from successful business ventures. These skill sets and personal credibility with local businesses, individuals, and philanthropic organizations have enabled us to successfully raise enough funds to begin redevelopment of the park site, as we continue to pursue our fundraising goals.
The final iteration of the Memorial Park Committee consisted of the veterans listed below. The Committee was disbanded on July 9, 2024 after more than five years of hard work to bring the Memorial Park to it's current state. Responsibility for the park was transferred to the newly established Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.
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CHAIRMAN:
Russ Oorlog, Vietnam Veteran (Cold War Era)
Russ served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, with the majority of his time being an Infantry soldier in Vietnam.
He spent 35 years as a summer resident of the area and permanently moved here in 2009. His wife, Mary, was born and raised in Alexandria.
Russ and Gabe Pipo first conceived the idea of a public veterans memorial for the community, which has evolved into the Veterans Memorial Park.
VICE CHAIRMAN / INFORMATION MANAGER:
Ken Voigt, Persian Gulf Veteran (Gulf War Era)
Ken served in the United States Navy from 1981 to 2001 as an Information Systems Technician.
After his Navy career, Ken and his wife chose to retire in Alexandria as a good location between their hometowns of Melrose, MN and Jamestown, ND.
TREASURER / CPA:
Donald C. Johnson, Vietnam Era Veteran (Cold War Era)
Don served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971 and was stationed in West Germany.
He retired after working as a CPA for 37 years. Don and his wife have lived in Alexandria since 1971.
SECRETARY:
James M. (Jim) Conn, Vietnam Era Veteran (Cold War Era)
Jim served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966.
He was born in Alexandria and graduated from Alexandria High School. He purchased a summer cabin on Lake Ida in 1997 and built a permanent home there in 2004.