In the northwest corner of the large park in Westcliffe, a forlorn-looking archway sat, made of rounded rocks of glacial till harvested from the Valley after World War II. The arch had a plaque so worn by time and age that it was difficult to read, and many of the letters were illegible. But one young man and his family decided that the history of this arch was too important to be left to the slow but inevitable ravages of time.
Lincoln Wingfield had been searching for a project for his Eagle Scout Service Project, the final step toward earning the Eagle Scout rank. Driving through town with his family, he realized that the old arch needed some attention. With the help of family and neighbors, he pitched the town of Westcliffe on a rehabilitation project, which was approved during a meeting on June 17.
The town park is known as Memorial Park, and the archway was built to honor the men who served and died in World War II. On July 27, Josh, along with family, friends, and neighbors, set to work giving the archway the attention it deserved. The plaque with the 14 names of those who fell was restored; the mortar between the rocks reset, and new gravel and wood fence staves were installed. Thanks to Lincoln, the arch respectfully draws the attention of passersby.
The names of the fallen in World War II from the Valley are: Robert Burns, William Eakins, James Fee, Leroy Gilbert, Maurice Ireland, Glenn Kline, David Milton, Myrlen McNealy, William Prentiss, Allen Rogers, Richard Roskey, William Simmons, Jack Watkins, and Vernon Weeks.
– Jordan Hedberg
