Brought to life by members of the community and local organizations working together, 

Clearwater’s new Veteran’s Memorial Park was dedicated two weeks ago on Veteran’s Day. The new park is located near Riverside Park between Co. Road 75 and Bluff Street.

During the dedication, Legion Commander Ron Lashinski and Clearwater Mayor Andrea Lawrence spoke in front of a group of veterans and community members. Standing at attention throughout the ceremony was the Legion Color Guard.

Bud Schindele was the one who first went to the city with the idea of building a Veteran’s Memorial Park on an empty lot the city owned along Co. Road 75. The city donated the lot and Schindele formed a committee consisting of members of the four Clearwater Legion groups and a city council member to plan and facilitate the project. 

To help pay for the new park, the City of Clearwater applied for and was awarded a matching funds requirement grant. The City, Clearwater American Legion, and Clearwater Sons of the American Legion also put money toward the park’s construction.

When it came time to build the park, the city maintenance department donated their time and equipment and a local concrete company donated their labor to pour and color the concrete.

Even more meaning was added to the event when Legion Riders Director Cyle Paumen presented a check for $5,000 to military members Aaron and Evan Sands. The money will be used to help the brothers pay for their high cost flights and incidental expenses incurred during their trip home to bury their mother, life-long Clearwater resident Jeannette Sands, who had passed away on November 2 from injuries received in a car accident two days prior.

Both brothers are active in the Navy, with one stationed in Washington and the other in Guam.