Time to put the Veteran’s Wall of Honor controversy to bed

The Veteran’s Wall of Honor that was located on the property adjacent to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center since 1992 is no longer.

Now all that sits there as a reminder of the old location is a concrete wall the panels of veteran’s names were placed upon. The panels are gone and moving to their new home off of Wasilla-Fishhook Road where the old Iditarod Elementary was located and the new Wasilla Police Department building will be.

The Mat-Su Borough sold the property to Spring Creek Enterprises for $1,215,000 in late 2015 and in April of 2016 Doug Clegg representing Spring Creek hit the local public relations circuit. I attended his presentation at the Valley Realtors Association meeting that summer. Clegg and his group were pitching the state for a certificate of need for a senior living skilled nursing facility. It all sounded great. It was going to be a beautiful building and fulfill a need. I can recall Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle standing during the meeting and discussing his meeting with the veterans group about the moving of the Veteran’s Wall of Honor. It was to be a move that would keep them on the original property, but a move none the less. Cottle had stated he met with the veterans groups and other concerned parties.

“There was no media allowed in the meeting.” Cottle said. “No offense Dennis.”

None taken. It all sounded very amicable.

Then Spring Creek sold the property to Maple Springs and from there the wall’s future was left for chance. Once the property sold between the two companies I really don’t know what the borough’s choices were. In the original sale was the good faith promise of keeping the wall on the original property. What the discussion between Spring Creek and Maple Springs was concerning the wall is probably unknown and irrelevant because Maple Springs sold the property in less than a year to the Mat-Su Health Foundation.

“We are co-owners of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and it’s a strategic location for us.” Robin Minard of Mat-Su Health Foundation told me. “We’re developing a master plan for the property.”

It’s logical that Mat-Su Health Foundation would purchase the property and it’s logical the property should be developed for medical services. It’s the fastest growing industry in the state. The Mat-Su Valley had long been behind in providing for the need. That’s changing in a hurry and in a very competitive market.

Where did that leave the veterans group and the Veteran’s Wall of Honor?

Enter the “fixer”, Cottle.

First, he and the Wasilla City Council stepped up and donated the land for the new location. Then came the one-man band grass roots efforts of the good mayor.

Members of the veterans group at various borough meetings are crying foul because they were told they had to move.

“Well, yes they had to move. Spring Creek told them they were going to get to stay but the property was sold again and again.” Cottle told me. “I told the guys (veterans group) on Tuesday night (at the Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting) that I don’t care where it went. I don’t care if it went to the Butte…one guy there was from the Butte. But we need closure…enough. I don’t know what else we can do. If somebody’s got ashes up there, if there is something up there that I can physically move we’ll move it. They just need to let me know. The only thing I can’t move is the mountain”

Cottle is referring to mountain views that were in full display behind the original location.

“We can move the panels but we can’t move the concrete and it makes no sense to so. It’s in the contract that whatever panels get damaged they will be replaced.” Cottle stated.

Four were broken in the move.

“I’m surprised they only damaged four, but they will all be replaced. The panels will be up by Veterans Day. Some will be the original and some will be new,” Cottle said.

“Phase one is to clear all the property and have the panels and flags up by Veterans Day. Next year in phase two, the pavilions or covered areas go up. We’ve never had that before. At the end of each pavilion will be a storage building that will hold 250 chairs on each end. Otherwise they have to haul the chairs up in pick-ups. Concrete pathways will also be a part of phase two. Landscaping will be a part of phase one. Phase two will be done after Memorial Day.” Cottle explained.

I’ve been to the Memorial Day service at the Veteran’s Wall of Honor. Seating is at a minimum. Either bring your own chair or stand for those who don’t show up early. The weather in Alaska being what it is makes the pavilions a very nice advantage.

The handful of veterans who are still protesting at the Mat-Su Borough meetings are invoking phrases like “hallowed ground” and “it’s a memorial”. But the Wall of Honor is a living, breathing monument. The wall not only honors the past but it honors the present, those who have served and those who are serving. I get the emotion of the controversy. I am a veteran. I served in the Army for three years. My father served for 21 years. The new location gives the wall room to grow. The property it sits on is on a 99-year lease with a 99-year option.

What will the wall look like in 20 or 50 years?

The new location gives it plenty of room to grow.

I also understand the notion that some thought the wall would never move. We can’t control what we can’t control. It is moving but it is not going away. I would venture to say that not many communities our size has such a monument to honor veterans. Some communities will name a park for veterans some are lucky to have a park bench.

One veteran in the last borough meeting held his hand up and rubbed his fingers together gesturing to the assembly that it’s all about the money. The borough sold the land two years ago. That’s done. Why keep kicking that old dog? Some want to know where the money went. Check the financials. It’s public record. I doubt it was stashed away so no one can see it.

It is time.

It is time for us veterans to stop protesting the past and what is done. It is time to get behind the new location and make it the best it can be. It is time for us veterans to quit being offended by every perceived slight that we believe is happening to us. And for Pete’s sake quit comparing every little hiccup to the NFL players taking a knee during the National Anthem. That’s become a tired cliché.

And yes Mayor Cottle, I really don’t know what more you or the borough can do.