STAPLES, MINNESOTA
Our Mission
Supporting Veterans and Their Families
At Staples Veterans Park, our mission is to provide unwavering support for veterans and their families. We are dedicated to creating a community where veterans can find the assistance and resources they need to thrive. Inspired by the bravery and sacrifices of our veterans, we work tirelessly to ensure that they receive the recognition, care, and support they deserve.
Our History
2005
The Staples Rotary Club raised funds to purchase an eighty-foot flagpole. Funds were raised from various groups, businesses, and foundations in the area. With a pole this size, it was necessary to purchase two large 20 x 30-foot flags.
2007-2008
The Staples All Veterans and Community Park Association 501(c)3 non-profit organization was formed and incorporated in 2008. Various sites were considered for the construction of the park. Through the efforts of the City of Staples and the EDA, MNDot approved donating land between 8th and 9th street along the south side of new highway 10/210 for the purpose of building a veterans park.
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2009
Widseth, Smith, Nolting was hired to begin working on a design for the park. Officers and property insurance started. 55 pavers were installed in the park and the city reviewed the park plan prior to 80 ft. flagpole installation. There was a one-time sewer and water assessment (1 in. water supply at $1.338.72 and 4 in. sewer piping at $1344.19).
2010
Veteran interview videos were being worked on (most of these veterans served during WWII). Drawings for the upper level was completed. Flagpoles for six branches of service along sidewalk were ordered ($162 ea.). Artist Jeff Kreitz was authorized to create a stainless steel eagle ($9,000) which was perched on a large rock next to a granite welcome sign. A 10 ft. x 20 ft. storage shed is planned. A retaining wall at the upper level was being worked on. Phase 2 was planned to be a granite covering with engravings. The Veterans Park website was started to be developed.
2011
A 40 x 40-ft. concrete star was poured to form the base of the flag pole. Also, through a grant from Home Depot we were able to acquire three cobblestone circles to be used for granite veteran benches placed around the circles. Next to the circles would be veteran memorials, tributes and monuments.
2012
Work on the paver circles commenced in 2012 and 2013 with many 3M employees volunteering to lay the cobblestones. Our first annual fundraising banquet was held and thanks to community supporters, it was a great success. That year our park board accepted the challenge of building a granite memorial retaining wall for separating the upper and lower levels of the park. Concrete ramps were poured for handicap access. A storage shed was donated by Central Building Supply to house equipment and supplies. Busker Concrete and Ideal Blacktop donated labor and materials. Knife River provided concrete at a reduced rate. Over 40 pavers were sold and installed. We started interviewing and recording WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. These will be available for viewing when our educational building/museum are built and well as on our website. Donations were received for a 12 ft. wide C-130A propeller. When possible the prop and the history of the AC-130 gunship and the Hercules transport aircraft will be displayed.
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2013
Walkways and branch of service flag poles as well as Minnesota and POW/MIA flag poles were installed. Plans are progressing for an education/museum building. Our plan is to create a quality building made from materials that would last for hundreds of years. Our goal is to become the best veterans park in the state of Minnesota.
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2014
Ramps, crosswalks, and sidewalks including a new walkway trail between 8th and 10th street were completed. Knife River Corp. helped with a grant to discount the cost of concrete.
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2015
Five Wings Arts Council provided a grant to assist with the construction of sculptured granite welcome sign. Christmas wreaths were placed at the park. We are on phase 2 of the retaining wall which is the granite covering.
2016
A granite welcome sign was erected near the sidewalk. A beautiful stainless steel eagle was created and installed by sculptor Jeff Krietz and owner of Creative Steel Works, Crosslake, MN. The eagle was perched on a large rock donated by the Zetah family of Motley. The rock and the eagle were positioned adjacent to the Staples All Veterans Park welcome sign. Veteran interviews continue.
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2017
The Staples Host Lions continued to lend us the use of their 30 ft. x 50 ft. tent for park events. We are very grateful for their support.
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Paver and bench dedications were typically held on an annual basis. In 2017 we began doing dedications on the 4th of July and Veterans Day. The Ives family donated a home to the park. Retired Veteran Pilot Jack Wilson donated a lot across from the airport. The home was moved, and a basement built. Local businesses discounted or donated labor and materials to refurbish the home. park board members and local residents stepped up to assist. The next year it was sold. The profit went to projects within the Park. A fund raising banquet was held on March 16, 2017.
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Publishing and mailing a park Newsletter began.
2018
A fundraising banquet was held at Timbers Event Center raising well over $12,000. In August, the Park worked with the Ziegler family to put on 5K Walk/Run at Pine Grove Park.
2019
The Still Crusin Car Club donates $13,366 to kick start the WWII War of Honor project. It involves replicating the wooden wall built in the 1940s, honoring some 900 veterans who served during this war. The new wall will be made of granite and feature a red, white, and blue granite flag. This project will become the largest one we have ever started. By the end of 2025 will have raised $130,000 and expect to need at least another $70,000 to complete.
2020
Much of our fundraising activities such as annual banquets took a back seat to Covid. We did start direct mail fundraising which turned out to be highly successful. Also, grant applications intensified, although most of the grants have been relatively small.
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Commemorative granite pavers and benches continue to be popular while allowing us to honor veterans and also raise funds for the park. We typically sell and install 40-50 pavers and 2 benches every year. Pavers and benches are dedicated on the 4th of July and Veterans Day. Events at the park allow Veterans and their families to socialize, enjoy a good meal, and have a good time.
2021
Every August we carry the 30 ft. x 60 ft. flag in the local Railroad Day parade. 30 volunteers are needed. Carriers come from MN Adult & Teen Challenge, the Rotary, Lions and Park Board Members, and various civic minded individuals. Parade watchers number well over 3000.
2022
The Annual Veterans Day event on November 11th at the Staples Motley High School. The event was attended by all students. Orders for pavers totaled over 40 plus 3 benches.
2023
Our direct mail fund raiser brings in over $13,000 this year. The mailing goes out to over 650 park supporters. A granite podium was installed at the park and houses our new PA system. A big 4th of July celebration was planned with entertainment and a BBQ. Dr. Ryan Kroll is the guest speaker. The WWII Honor Wall memorial reaches $90,000. Northland Monument installs a granite podium at the park. In 2023, the Bell Tower was completed by metal sculpter Jeff Krietz. The tower houses our 120 year old bell from an Northern Pacific steam locomotive. The design emphasizes our railroad history and the railroad/military history during WW11. A remote controlled electronic ringer has been added. The Bell Tower project received many donations including one from the Masonic Lodge for $2500. Also, Charlie and Kathy Crews donated $10,000 for a life-size bronze sailor statue. The podium will also house our new PA system. A big 4th of July celebration is planned with much entertainment and a BBQ. Dr. Ryan Kroll is the guest speaker. As it turned out, it rained that day and the event was held at the Faith Lutheran Church.
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2024
A 94 year old veteran sailor donates $10,000 to kick start the creation of a bronze sailor. We will had one year to raise the additional $45,000 to the purchase of the sculpture. Do to many fundraisers, garage sales, grants, and donations we were able to reach our goal.
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This year's direct mail fundraiser brought in around $17,000 in donations. People can direct their money to their choice of about 10 ongoing park projects.
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The WWII War of Honor remains our highest priority. One of our largest obstacles is that the cost of the project keeps rising. It’s become a moving target. The interior concrete forms for the wall has been completed. As of 2024, it is estimated to require twice what we have.
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In 2024 the Bell Tower was completed and dedicated on Memorial Day. The Bell Tower was completed by metal sculptor Jeff Kreitz. The design emphasizes our railroad history and the railroad/military linkage during WWII. A remote controlled electronic ringer was added. The bell in the tower is from an NP steam locomotive over 100 years old.
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2025
In May, we put on a mega sale at the park and raised $7,000 for the Park. In 2025 we had our greatest attendance for the Memorial Day event. Our annual direct mail fundraiser brought in over $22,000. It was the best we’ve ever done. We also honored over 20 local veterans who passed away in the last year. Marine Veteran Rob Walters was our guest speaker. Also, through a veterans $7,500 donation we were able to commission Brodin Studios to create a Battlefield Cross sculpture. On Memorial day we dedicated this memorial. The granite base is being designed, but will be costly and require more fundraising. This event prompted a veteran to anonymously make at $5000 donation, thereby allowing us to reach our goal to complete the bronze Sailor statue before the deadline. During our 4th of July event we dedicated the monument. This event saw over 250 attendees. We honored and dedicated pavers for the 5 Rosevink brothers who grew up in Staples and served in wars between WWII and Vietnam. In the fall we put on a small fundraising banquet at Holst Acres raising over $8,000, thanks to local donations. Also in 2025, a couple donated funds to pay for the engraving the podium of the Revolutionary War depiction of Washington crossing the Delaware.
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After that event, a local contractor agreed to supervise the construction of 40 ft. x 60 ft park pavilion. All labor will be donated. Much of the materials will also be donated. Construction will commence in the fall and be completed in the spring. Of course, additional funds will need to be raised for concrete and tables and chairs.
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In addition we received a $20,000 grant from Sourcewell for the fabrication of a granite U.S. Flag using colored granite. This flag will sit atop the World War II Honor Wall and be lit from the ground. This project currently sits at about $130,000 raised. Another $70,000 is needed. In 2025, including grants, we raised approximately $30,000. The goal needed to complete the project tends to be a moving target, as costs keep going up.
All an all, 2025 was a great year for the park. We held more events and raised more funds than ever before. The MIA/POW memorial arrived in late 2025, and will be dedicated in 2026.
Board Members
Our board members are dedicated volunteers who share a deep passion for our community. Together, we strive to create the best park in Minnesota, honoring the sacrifices of those who have served. Their commitment and enthusiasm inspire us to build a space that reflects our gratitude and respect for our veterans. Join us in our mission to make this vision a reality!
Bob Hamann – President – 218-296-0677
Huck Holst – Vice President – 218-296-2469
Penny Nelsen – Secretary – 218-820-1919
Ken Klose – Director – 218 296-1109
Mel Daniels – Director – 218-894-3716
Kevin Jenkins – Director – 218-820-2081
Dan Shaw – Director – 218-296-0228
Adam Baxter – Assistant Treasurer – 757-478-7282
Milt Peterson – Treasurer – 218-251-1420
Brandon Sterriker – Director – 218-296-1707
Dale Mueller – Director – 320-241-8603
Teresa Sorenson – Director – 218-894-6300