Army volunteers construct pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park

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Thecompletion of yet another phase of Veterans Memorial Park in Rolla is nearlyfinished as the final touches are made on the construction of a 61-foot-long by25-foot-wide pavilion that began in October 2011.
Working for several hours in blistering 100 degree-plus temperaturesfrom June 29 through July 3, 2012 several U.S. Army soldiers from Fort LeonardWood, and First Sergeant Yale Barkefelt with the 77^th EngineerVertical Company at FLW, volunteered their time and talent to construct thehighly noticeable 10-foot-high pavilion that is located on the south side ofVeterans Memorial Park on Southview Drive in Rolla. Funding for the materialsto construct the pavilion were provided through donations received by the SouthCentral Regional Veterans Group (S.C.R.V.G.).Theproject, which was coordinated and managed by Jerry Bumpus, a long-time (Thenewly constructed pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park, located on SouthviewDrive in Rolla, Mo., was made possible through the generous donation of funds,equipment, materials, carpentry skills and sweat equity of numerousindividuals, U.S. Army soldiers from FLW, members of the S.C.R.V.G., andbusinesses in South Central Missouri. - Scott Grahl, City of Rolla photo)  Rollaresident, retired First Sergeant with the U.S. Army, and a member of the SouthCentral Regional Veterans Group and The Retired Enlisted Association, began inOctober 2011 when a concrete slab was first poured for the pavilion. The costof the concrete was generously funded 100% through donations by Rolla andPhelps County residents. The gravel for the foundation was donated by CapitolQuarry, and Daniels Trucking donated the use of their trucks and equipment tohaul and place the gravel. The concrete was also purchased at a significantdiscount from Rolla Concrete. In addition, the forming and preparation for the concretepad was completed by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, includingSimon Yoakum, Foreman, several Parks and Recreation members and Jerry Bumpus. Severalmembers of Labor’s Local Union #840 poured, leveled and finished the concrete slab at no cost. Whenthe pavilion is totally finished it will be open to the public, and madeavailable for a nominal rental fee through the City’s Parks and RecreationDepartment for family gatherings, reunions, BBQs, picnics and special events.It will be especially convenient during inclement weather. “Theconstruction of the pavilion was made possible by a lot of generous individualsand groups who provided the necessary funds, materials, equipment, talent andsweat equity to get the job done,” said Bumpus. “The community support andcollaboration was amazing, and reflects the depth of patriotic spirit andsupport of U.S. veterans in South Central Missouri.”

Formore information or to make a donation to Veterans Memorial Park, please visit www.scrvg.org or contact Susan Hinkle,Treasurer, S.C.R.V.G., at 573-578-2141