This week the Senate Environment Committee heard legislation authored by Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) that funds the completion of the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial site in Lakeside Memorial Park. The bill would provide a grant to construct the final portion of the shovel-ready project.

The memorial is being championed by a local group known as the City of Forest Lake Area Veterans Memorial Committee, which was founded in 2008 to honor living and deceased veterans. The project has had legislative support for years, and a previous iteration of this bill also authored by Housley was heard in the senate in 2023.

“This is a simple bill that funds updates for the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial and ensures our veterans and their families have a park that holds them and their service in high esteem,” said Housley. “This park is a reflection of the respect we have for those who gave so much in service to our country – it’s a cornerstone of the community and an important touchstone for veterans throughout the area. In honor of those who have patriotically served our country, this bill ensures we have a welcoming park that honors their sacrifices for years to come.”  

As part of the testimony, Sen. Housley was joined by Ron Miller and Mark Finnemann, who are both members of the Veterans Memorial Committee. Since 2009, the Committee has hosted a veterans pavers program, allowing members of the community to purchase pavers engraved with veterans’ names, service, rank, unit, and time of service. These pavers are dedicated every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and if this bill passes, the funding would help place additional pavers in a raised area, with an additional centerpiece and flagpole.

The bill had bipartisan support and interest when heard in committee and was laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.