Memorial bricks cast long shadow

“This is a great way to have the name of someone you want to honor become a permanent part of the park,” she said.

The cost of each brick is $50 and purchasers are given three lines of up to 12 characters each for an inscribed name or message. Although the bricks, which are tax deductible, can be purchased at any time, Hadley said Friday is the cutoff date to order the holiday shipment. She said 22 of the new bricks will be used to replace blank cubes on the platform beneath the flags at the base of the park. The remaining bricks will be set into the plaza at the junction of Second and State streets.

Hadley said even though the park was dedicated as a memorial to military veterans from the Mid-Columbia, the bricks can list either veterans or civilians, whether living or dead. Individuals wanting to place an order may do so at the City Administration Building, 301 Oak Street, or by calling Hadley at 386-1488.

Overlook Memorial Park was officially opened to the public on Memorial Day in May of 1999. The project was made possible with funding by both private sources and the Hood River Urban Renewal District, plus donated labor and supplies. In addition to the bricks it features a manmade waterfall complete with bronze jumping salmon, a basalt column listing the name of Hood River County’s war dead, and a landscaped hillside setting.