Randall D. Dalton Veteran's Park Traditional Cache
Randall D. Dalton Veteran's Park
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My son's riding teacher (a city trustee) asked to have a geocache placed here to bring attention to this new park. How could I say no? So here it is. The only thing she asked was not to harm the landscape so nothing has to be moved.
The park is named for Dalton, of Collinsville, a soldier killed in action in 1971 during the Vietnam War. His remains were returned to family members for burial this year.
"It will honor all veterans, living and deceased," Pontoon Beach Mayor Mike Pagano said.
The former mayor, Jim Denham, and other officials planned the park and Pagano, elected last year, helped guide it to fruition.
The Bank of Edwardsville donated about an acre for the site, Pagano designed the memorial and a $42,500 state grant and private donations paid for it The centerpiece is a monument, flanked by sculptures of a soldier's boots, rifle and helmet.
With the help of additional donations, two pavilions, picnic tables, a walking trail, benches and a bandstand or amphitheater have been added.
Village Clerk Harlon Keel said the park will be an important recreational asset, where residents will be able to see concerts, have picnics or hold reunions. He said the bank will allow park visitors to use its parking lot until the park gets its own.
Dalton, 20, was a door gunner on an Army helicopter shot down in Cambodia. He died while being treated for injuries, and heavy enemy fire forced rescuers to leave his body. DNA identified his among remains turned over by Vietnamese officials in 1989.
Congrats Team State FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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