Wasilla plans yellow ribbon ceremony

Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- In conjunction with Armed Forces Day, the city of Wasilla has scheduled a yellow ribbon ceremony to honor America's armed forces, past and present.

On Saturday, May 17, the city will host the ceremony at the Armed Forces Honor Garden at Iditapark, at the corner of Nelson and Lucille streets. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature a presentation by the American Legion in celebration of United States military men and women at war and those who have gone before them, according to organizer Diana Straub, a Wasilla City Council member. The ceremony will feature placement of yellow ribbons on each of the flag poles that surround the garden. Portions of the honor garden were completed last week as volunteers placed flags on poles and installed benches, Straub said.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will also be on hand to distribute yellow ribbons for attendees to tie onto trees throughout Iditapark.

The idea for the Armed Forces Honor Garden began approximately three years ago, according to Wasilla Public Works Director Don Shiesl. Several veterans approached the city council and asked if the city would be interested in creating a memorial for veterans. From there, Shiesl said, the idea "morphed" into that of an honor garden for all armed forces, past and present. The city council, under the mayorship of Sarah Palin, came up with the idea of selling granite bricks to finance the project, he said, which went well until the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"They were moving along well," Shiesl said, "until 9/11, when sales took a tumble."

Because of the stall in fundraising, he said, most of the work currently being done is by volunteers and city workers.

While work continues on the project daily -- with concrete finish work, painting and landscaping underway right now -- the biggest job is yet to come, Shiesl said -- that of installing the bricks. Engraved bricks are still on their way, but Shiesl said the goal is to have them installed in time for the city's annual Fourth of July picnic, traditionally held at Iditapark. A dedication for that day is in the works that will include veterans, local dignitaries and possibly the Armed Forces Band.

The honor garden project was supported by Wasilla's current mayor, Dianne Keller, while she was on the council, Shiesl said, and she remains a strong supporter of veterans and U.S. military troops.

"It's one reason we wanted to have the yellow ribbon ceremony there," Shiesl said. "To show that Wasilla is trying to honor [them]."

The yellow ribbon ceremony is open to everyone, Straub said. For questions about the ceremony, call Straub at 373-7230. Also, volunteers are welcome to help with completion of the honor garden. Call Shiesl at Wasilla Public Works at 373-9095 for more information about volunteering, making donations or purchasing engraved bricks.