MONTE VISTA – The City of Monte Vista has rescheduled the rededication of the Faith Hinkley Veteran’s Memorial Park to 11 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 7, after it was postponed due weather earlier this month. 

This new day was chosen, according to City Manager GiGi Dennis, as this was the day Japan launched an attack on Pearl Harbor. 

“December 7 has been chosen as a special day to commemorate and memorialize service men and women in our town,” Dennis stated. 

Monte Vista organized a brick laying fundraising project to help complete the park. The public could purchase a brick in memory of a loved one who was also a veteran, and have it laid in the park.  

A stone has also been added to the park, by local businessman Bob Richards, and James Pacheco of the Polished Bean, for World War II Veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor George Blake, a Homelake Veterans community resident who died this year.  

According to Dennis the bricks and the stone have all been laid beautifully. 

“We are excited for this rededication. I have been out to look at everything and it is all just beautiful. I think the family members who were able to purchase bricks for their loved ones, are going to be very pleased with the outcome,” she said.  

Monte Vista City Clerk Unita Vance spoke about the ceremony. 

“It will begin at 11 a.m., there will be a rededication ceremony. We have a medal of honor award. There will also be a remembrance of George Blake, the Pearl Harbor Survivor.”  

The Faith Hinkley Memorial Park project began March 10, 2011. According to Vance, the people who originally began the project included Bob Bryning, Ray and Colette Skeff, Debbie Garcia, and Public Works Director Rob Vance, who also helped with the design for the park.  

The City of Monte Vista, partnered with the Monte Vista School District to create the beloved park to celebrate and remember the lives of fallen U.S. Army Sgt. Faith Hinkley, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Glen E. Martinez. 

City Clerk Vance said that none of what has taken place could have happened without the donors, sponsors, and community members from all over the Valley. 

“It started with all of them. They wanted to honor our Veterans, both fallen and still giving for our freedom. I think it is an honor to be able to complete this park and honor everyone who is still serving and still giving every day for the freedom of our country and our Valley,” she said.  

Dennis thanked everyone who donated to the park over the years, as well as everyone who has helped to complete the project. 

“There were so many people that donated and volunteered to help make this rededication happen. We are so grateful for their encouragement. The city was very happy to pick up the pieces that were left undone. We can now say that it is finished and very nicely put together. In the United States, we are so lucky to have the freedom that we have been given. We want to celebrate the men and women who have served our country with such great honor.”  

Later that same day, the official Christmas tree lighting will be held in Fullenwider Park with Christmas carolers at 5:15 p.m. Following this will be the parade of lights at 6 p.m. and cocoa with Santa will take place after the parade at Rainbrews.   

For more information on the events, contact the City of Monte Vista at 719-852-2692.