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| The
Berle V. LaPin/Veterans Memorial Park |
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A TRIBUTE
TO CHAMPION’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
In
2004, Champion’s residents came together to pay tribute to Supervisor
Berle V. Lapin for his thirty plus years of service to their community.
With the vision of building a park to honor LaPin, the town purchased an
acre and a half of abandoned railroad property in the middle of town.
Out of the first planning session came the idea that the park should
also honor area veterans and educate the public about Champion.
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This
park site was a part of the Champion railroad hub that played an
invaluable role in Champion’s history. Out of this hub, trains
carried iron ore to Marquette and wood to Kingsford for use in
the Henry Ford automobile plant. It was also a jumping off spot
for Cyrus McCormick to travel to his secluded northern summer
camp.
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This past year through a generous grassroots effort of money and of
labor, phase one was almost completed.
| Phase one began by moving a
fifteen-ton cement veteran’s monument to the park site. A retaining
wall built by volunteers surrounds this cenotaph. Between the wall and the
monument flowers were donated and planted . Later three flag poles were
erected – a 30’ pole for an American flag, a 25’ pole for the
Michigan State flag and a 20’ pole for a P.O.W.-M.I.A. flag.
(Note: a cenotaph is a monument honoring persons whose
remains are elsewhere.) |
 |
 |
In
August 2004. on a beautiful summer day, a crowd of 150 celebrated the
ground breaking. Participating in the ceremony were the Champion Fire
Department color guard and Boy Scout Troop 321 from Ishpeming assisting.
Many clergy prayed at the ceremony. Following the ceremony a lunch was
held in the town hall.
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| The final phase includes a
well-lighted, covered railroad platform similar in design to
the building that stood near this site a hundred years ago. |
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|
The
picture at the right shows Berle LaPin receiving a plaque in his
honor from township board member Cheryl Koppinger on behalf of
the township board during the dedication ceremony. |
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| Berle
LaPin is pictured delivering an address during the ceremony
which dedicated the park in his name and honors our veterans. |
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Members of the Ad Hoc committee include:
Jackie Adair, Larry Arsenault, Curt Bawden (Chairman,) Barb Bolle,
Brad Hamel, Tom Hedetniemi, Mike Koppinger, Berle LaPin, Ray Ringuette,
John Ruusi, Mike Simula, Miriam and Dave Sphar , Rod Wiest, and Don
Wolf. Should there be questions call the Champion Town hall
(906-339-2920.)
The committee appreciates your ideas and your donations of time and
money. No tax moneys were used in this construction project.
| Mail
Donations to: |
Make
checks payable to: |
| Champion
Township Hall
C/O
Treasurer
US-41, Champion, MI 49814 |
Berle
LaPin Veterans Memorial Park Fund
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“WHEN WE SEE LAND AS A COMMUNITY TO WHICH WE BELONG, WE MAY
BEGIN TO USE IT WITH LOVE AND RESPECT.”
Aldo Leopold
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