Dedication planned Saturday for Rockwood veteran memorial, community park

David Hurst, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

ROCKWOOD, Pa. – The remnants of the former Merchants Hotel in Rockwood were a glaring eyesore during a Memorial Day ceremony nearly a decade ago.

As Dan Brant stood by Rockwood's Honor Roll to commemorate local veterans who gave everything for their country, the sight of the dilapidated structure's remains nearby seemed to be unavoidable, he said.

Now, a grassroots group will gather with other community members at 11 a.m. Saturday to dedicate the Rockwood Veterans Memorial and Community Park in the hotel's place.

The dedication will be a "mission accomplished" moment for the six-year, $500,000-plus effort to create the park, Brant and fellow planner Jimmy Marker said.

"One of the most positive things for me was watching how the community came together, people of all ages, to make this happen," Marker said Wednesday.

The result, he said, is a place where people can not only gather to remember veterans, but also enjoy a dedicated community space.

The park includes a pine pavilion with an illuminated cupola, picnic tables, and a brick patio underneath where names are engraved to remember loved ones from the Rockwood area, including veterans. The surroundings are landscaped, with new greenery and a walkway to the pavilion.

Flags representing every branch of the U.S. military fly at the rear of the park, Marker said.

"The mission was to create a central gathering area, a place of beauty and pride for the community and a place of honor for local veterans," Marker said.

Rockwood-area residents Brant and Larry Mazer were among the project planners who are also veterans. Somerset County engineer Jon Wahl was also among the original planners.

Brant, a Navy veteran, said the community park concept started as a "dream," without a single dollar to pay for the work, he said. Over the years, the group built up matching money with bake sales, cash-bash fundraisers and chicken dinners, he and Marker said.

The group credited Rockwood American Legion Post 289, Heritage Coal & Natural Resources and the Rockwood community's residents for providing support that helped carry the project across the finish line.

"We did this for our own hometown," Brant said, "but this park belongs to the people now."

He said the park is being turned over to Rockwood Borough officials now that the work is complete.