PRESCOTT — Over the last 20 years, Navy veteran Jerry Severson and his wife Rose have placed flags in the Prescott Cemetery for all the community's veterans. Severson, who died in October at age 89, inspired American Legion Post 61 in Prescott to create a veterans memorial.

“Jerry and his wife Rose continued that tradition, and now, in Jerry’s passing, his daughter and son-in-law will continue the tradition of putting out the flags,” Post 61 Commander Jim Geister said.

The memorial will feature flags of the various military branches, a brick walkway including the names of all the people who supported the project and benches to take in the scenery. Geister said it will be located on the south side of the Legion building adjacent to Saint Croix Street, an area that sees a lot of sun and will serve as a nice place to find peace.

Veterans and non-veterans alike are welcome to purchase a custom engraved brick to be included in the project. To purchase, use the attached QR code by the April 3 deadline.

“It’s not just veterans. We opened the brick fundraiser up to anybody that supports the Legion and the veterans themselves,” Geister said. “For a veteran to be able to have a brick there, in a sense, it immortalizes their commitment. It’s a way for us to recognize and remember the individuals that fought the fight.”

Purchasing a brick not only serves as support for the memorial, but support for the future of the Legion as a whole.

“We are encouraging everybody to please partake in this brick fundraising campaign. Eighty percent of the money is going to the Legion itself, which allows us to continue helping the veterans and community alike,” Geister said.

To launch the memorial, the Legion will be hosting a dedication ceremony on Memorial Day (May 25).

“It’s going to be a way to recognize our dedication to continuing to serve after we have served,” Geister said. “That’s going to be just another reminder that once we take that oath, we continue to serve and we stand in that family.”