With the untimely death of Joe Walacavage, a new Chairman had to be appointed. The task fell on the shoulders of Col. Vince Land (U.S. ARMY,Ret.), a Minersville native and member of the Rotary Club.
Along with his committee, they set out to finish the dream so future generations would know of their rich anthracite culture. The plain concrete base was now surrounded by anthracite, sidewalks were poured with stained, stamped concrete to simulate flagstone, huge chunks of coal were secured from local mining operations to hold the bronze plaques, and the plan to sell memorial bricks came about. The bricks not only helped finance future maintenance of the grounds, but now family and friends of miners could also memorialize those who toiled underground.
Electric wiring had to be run underground, water and drainage pipes laid, and grading of the site where the park was to be. Work progressed throughout the year, shrouded in a huge plastic tent during winter, keeping passing motorists interest picqued for months.
Finally, spring arrived with warmer weather and the grass, shrubs, and plants were sowed. Six months of selling bricks now showed the fruits of the Rotarians labor, as they were placed in the walkway in front of the statue. Front and center, surrounded by other bricks in his honor, was one that read "Joe Walacavage".
A few years have passed now, and I see that Memorial every day. I have spent weeks taking pictures, more than 150, trying to highlight what a few folks in the hard coal regions of central Pennsylvania thought was important enough for others to see. Now, the world will see. Thank you Joe, and thank you Rotarians.
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