Dahn Kennedy, center, provides opening remarks during the dedication of the Taylor Park Military Memorial last Saturday morning in Traer. City councilors Trish Kennedy — holding the umbrella — and Carri Holst (right), who later sang the National Anthem, are also pictured PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – Amid the din of a downpour and booms of thunder, the Taylor Park Military Memorial was formally dedicated this past Saturday morning in Traer to all who have served their country in all branches of service, both wartime and peacetime.

Prior to Saturday’s dedication of the recently installed military bench, memorial plaque, and flagpole in the city park, Traer did not have any formal military memorial other than the Taylor Park arch – which lists the names of seven Veterans killed in World War I – for the community to visit and reflect upon.

The lack of a community memorial was something Traer resident, military mom, and The Hometown Hearts Project founder Dahn Kennedy set about rectifying beginning in January.

“Bucky McKinley, a Traer native who now lives in North Carolina, had the original idea,” Kennedy – a member of the Army National Guard herself from 1993-1998 – explained of the memorial’s origins in an interview with the Telegraph following the dedication. “He started doing a little bit of fundraising but had a difficult time continuing with it because he lives so far away.”

Due to her work with Hometown Hearts – a grassroots organization that sends monthly care packages including letters to local men and women enlisted in the military – McKinley reached out to Kennedy to take over navigating the challenge of bringing a military memorial to Traer.

The Taylor Park Military Memorial bench pictured on Saturday, June 24 in Traer. The bench features all five branches of the U.S. military. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“Of course, I jumped at the chance and I just basically hit up businesses and put it out there that we are working on it,” Kennedy explained.

Although Kennedy is not certain when McKinley first had the idea for the memorial, she does know it was his blogging that spurred him into action.

“He was writing a Veterans Day blog [about] a young serviceman that was killed some years back and realized that Traer does not have anything to honor Veterans or service members. He had contacted and received donations from a handful of businesses [before] I took it over.”

In just six months, Kennedy took the germination of an idea and brought it to fruition – a testament to her passion for the military.

“We changed [McKinley’s] plan some to make it more inclusive and added the flagpole,” Kennedy said.

Members of the Kubik-Finch American Legion raise the American flag for the first time at Traer’s new Taylor Park Military Memorial on Saturday, June 24, as part of the memorial’s dedication ceremony. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAHN KENNEDY

The location – in the park’s southwest corner – was a joint decision made by members of the Traer City Council, the Taylor Park Landscaping and Beautification Committee design team, and Kennedy.

Kennedy said multiple local businesses and individuals donated toward the memorial effort, while Manatt’s, Inc. donated all the concrete for the pad.

On Saturday morning – as dark clouds moved into the area threatening rain – about two dozen people, including local Veterans, began gathering just before 11 a.m. to dedicate the memorial.

“Today is the day that we bring to Traer a spot to honor those who have served and continue to serve, and remember those who have paid the ultimate price. It’s been a wish deep in my heart to have one of these in our community,” Kennedy – standing under an umbrella held by city councilor Trish Kennedy – began as rain started to pour down around her.

“Our United States military is the backbone of our country – they are the ones protecting us and our freedoms and they deserve our respect, honor, and reverence,” Kennedy continued. “All of this would not be possible without the very generous hearts of businesses and individuals in our community.”

Two members of the Kubik-Finch American Legion check out the new military memorial located in Traer’s Taylor Park last Saturday ahead of the dedication ceremony — and mere moments before the skies erupted in a fierce downpour. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Following Kennedy’s opening remarks, members of the Kubik-Finch American Legion Post 142 raised the American flag for the first time at the memorial.

With the rain now falling in sheets, city councilor Carri Holst then led the group in the singing of the National Anthem – one of the most beautiful renditions possibly ever performed in Taylor Park due to the optics of the moment.

The group then quickly moved away from the memorial to take shelter under the nearby Gazebo where Kennedy would eventually end the ceremony following remarks from the featured speaker, 1SG (Ret.) Shannon Svoboda of Clutier – a 1999 North Tama graduate who retired from the U.S. Army in 2019 after more than 20 years of service – and Pastor Mark Keefer’s closing prayer.

“[The Taylor Park Military Memorial] is dedicated to the local heroes who long ago fought for their country and it is dedicated to a young soldier just driving through town while home on leave,” Kennedy said in closing.

“It is dedicated to those who were shunned for fighting in a hated war, and it is dedicated to those who were welcomed home with open arms and a wealth of support while they were fighting.”

“It is dedicated to those who served and didn’t make it back to their families. It is dedicated to those who served and are still fighting the demons brought home from battle.”

“It doesn’t matter when you served, where you served, or why you served, what matters is that you served. You raised your right hand, and we appreciate you and we have dedicated this spot in Taylor Park to you. To honor and revere you.”

“So come – sit down on the bench and reflect. Reflect on the good – remember and be thankful for those who have sacrificed. Pray for those still serving. This is a place of honor and remembrance dedicated to all who have served.”

The Taylor Park Military Memorial is located in the city park near the corner of Fifth Street and Hwy 63. The memorial including the bench which features all five branches of the U.S. military, is now open to the public.

More information on Kennedy’s The “Hometown Hearts” Project is available on the organization’s Facebook page.