In Oakdale, Minn., an 800-square-foot veteran's memorial includes a retaining wall, inset columns with black granite commemorative plaques that serve as focal points, and pavers, some of which were engraved with the names of veterans or current military personnel. Retaining wall block of Versa-Lok's Rose Creek blend was capped with buff-colored Indiana limestone. The pavers include Willow Creek brickstone in the harvest blend color.

All the benches throughout the site were made from natural stone. Also pictured is one of two basalt pillars that function as water features and serve as a backdrop for bronze plaques in honor of the Minnesota National Guard, POWs and MIAs.

The new Veteran's Memorial at Oakdale City Hall creates an enduring space for citizens to honor military friends and family, enhanced by the use of retaining walls, paver surfaces and natural stone.

According to park superintendent Randy Bastyr, the city celebrated its first official Memorial Day at the site on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 so that local VFW and American Legion post members who were already booked at other observances could participate. The event included a flag ceremony, color guard, gun salute, bugler, guest speaker Col. Eric Ahlness and soloist Whitney Russell, a student at Tartan High School.

"The Oakdale Veteran's Memorial committee wanted a place to commemorate veterans and service members and for the city and citizens," said Bastyr. "The committee raised funds by selling engraved pavers, which paid for a large portion of the project. Pavers can be purchased by people in honor of loved ones who are veterans or in the military. We have room for about 600 pavers total."

In 2010, a group of local veterans and citizens formed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. They raised about $8,000 through a raffle and about $19,000 through sales of engraved pavers, which are installed in a flagpole plaza in front of the memorial. The remainder of the $44,000 project is funded by a low-interest loan from the city, the ongoing sale of pavers and future fundraising events. The memorial was completed and dedicated in October 2012. The 800-square-foot site includes a retaining wall, inset column designs that hold black granite commemorative plaques which serve as focal points, plus natural stone benches and monuments.

To help pay for the memorial, about $19,000 in engraved pavers were sold and installed at the flagpole plaza in front of the memorial. Inset columns within the wall were built to offer protection for the etched and polished granite plaques.

A boulder with a plaque honoring Oakdale police officer Richard Walton, who died in the line of duty in 1982, was installed in a planter constructed with materials that match the memorial wall.

The initial design called for a double wall exposed on both sides and set with the memorial plaques. After evaluating the site, Linwood Contracting suggested a retaining wall with portions of exposed split face block on the back side. The ground cover is red mulch.

"The Oakdale Veteran's Memorial Committee worked to fulfill the dream of creating a beautiful and fitting tribute to veterans and their families," said Bill Rasmussen, chairperson of the committee. "The memorial is a place of honor, reflection and pride so Oakdale citizens will have a place for Memorial Day, Flag Day and Veterans Day observances and other events."

The initial design called for a double wall exposed on both sides and set with the memorial plaques. But after looking at the site, Jerry Koecher of Linwood Contracting, and employee Becky Heavey, suggested a retaining wall with portions of exposed split face block on the back side. They devised inset columns within the wall to offer protection for the polished granite plaques. Both modifications proved to be a more cost-effective solution.

"A double wall is double the money of a retaining wall," said Koecher. "It would also have required wider, custom limestone caps, which are more expensive too. We addressed the issue by creating a retaining wall that has some exposed back. Using standard retaining wall block, we created the wall and features that would help protect the commemorative plaques rather than exposing them to the elements." The etched plaques have images of a bald eagle, a poem and dedication text, plus insignia from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

"Versa-Lok is versatile and can be used to create other features in addition to retaining and freestanding walls," said Koecher. "You also can make columns, stairs, corners and curves with the standard unit without the need for special pieces. This has really been one of my favorite projects because of who it honors and for the interesting solutions that enhanced the design."

The committee and Koecher selected the Rose Creek blend to create the retaining wall as well as the columns in the center and on each end, which are capped with buff-colored Indiana limestone.

"This solution sets the plaques off visually, and it also creates a nice dimensionality," said Jason Rexine, contractor manager at the stone manufacturer.

Willow Creek brickstone paving stones in the harvest blend color were also used in the patio projects. From an aerial view, the design of the Veteran's Memorial has an uncanny resemblance to a local icon.

"If you look at the entire design of the Veteran's Memorial from above, it almost looks like the shape of the Oakdale tree logo. That wasn't intended, but we think of it as kind of a happy accident," said Rasmussen.

Koecher also created a matching pillar in the plaza to serve as a foundation for an existing veteran's memorial obelisk previously located at the entrance to City Hall.

Other stone memorials include two basalt pillars that function as water features, donated by Super Smokedale, SEH Architects of Oakdale and a Lake Elmo stone supplier. These hold bronze plaques in honor of the Minnesota National Guard, POWs and MIAs. Another bronze plaque mounted on a limestone slab lists individual and business volunteers, major donors, contractors and suppliers involved in the project.

In addition to the memorial, two new paver patio areas highlight Oakdale police officer Richard Walton, who died in the line of duty in 1982.