Above left: The War Memorial at the park features seven granite triangles and six flagpoles. Left: Guests take a look around a Black Hawk helicopter that landed in the park during the dedication for the Barton County Memorial Park in 2022. Above: A candle was placed on each veteran paver in the Walk of Honor during a Veterans Day Candlelight Ceremony in 2023. photos courtesy Joe Davis nurses and the anchor from the U.S.S. Peacock. The park isn't just a place for reflection; it's also a community hub. It hosts annual signature events such as the Willie Graham Memorial Car Show (May 4), Memorial Day Ceremony (May 27), Antique Tractor Show (Aug. 24 during the Lamar Free Fair) and Veterans Day Candlelight Ceremony (Nov. 11). Last year was the inaugural Veterans Day ceremony which highlighted the importance the park has to those in the community. They decided to put approximately 750 candles throughout the park before turning out the lights and reading the names of all 757 veterans represented in the park through memorials and engraved pavers. " We weren't sure how long it was going to take us to set up all these candles for the ceremony and if we'd have enough help, " Gordon says. " Then all of a sudden we had volunteers practically tripping over each other. It was the highlight of the year for sure. " The park was built and is maintained entirely through the nonprofit board via donations, fundraisers, grants and selling engraved pavers and bricks to be installed in the park. Joe says that communal spirit and shared purpose only further the original reason for the hospital. " It was important for us to keep this as a memorial; that's the whole reason the hospital was built, " Joe says. " The whole community came together to build and fund the hospital decades ago. It's a special place. I'm thankful the community came together again to build this park. " Lamar For more information on the park or to learn about donation opportunities, call 417-295-1020, email bcmpark108@gmail.com or visit lamarmo.com/bcmp. The park is located at 108 Gulf St. in Lamar. MAY 2024 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 11http://www.lamarmo.com/bcmp http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP