Lembke family donates masonry work for BP Vets Memorial

It has taken unselfish donations from individuals and from Blooming Prairie area businesses to make the BP Veterans Memorial a reality.

Tom Peterson, chairman of the BP Veterans Memorial, has made another announcement as to another family in-kind donation to the project.

The Memorial is located just east of the BP Servicemen's Club.

Fundraising for the Memorial started in the spring of 2014. A goal of $250,000 was attained late in 2018.

Peterson, adjutant of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #52, said the Sons and the Blooming Prairie Veterans Memorial Committee are proud to recognize Maurice, Julie, and Lance Lembke of Lembke Masonry for their part and generous contribution to the Blooming Prairie Veterans Memorial.

The Lembkes donated all the labor for the concrete pad under the granite pieces of the Memorial.

Maurice’s and Lance’s years of experience and attention to detail were essential to making sure the Memorial had a beautiful concrete pad for the granite pieces, said Peterson.

There are important reasons why Maurice, Julie, and Lance stepped forward with their donation. Ten of their family members are veterans and have wall pavers on the Memorial! 

They include:

Leo Coughlin – Julie’s father

Mark Coughlin – Julie’s uncle

Francis Coughlin KIA – Julie’s uncle

Gerald Coughlin – Julie’s uncle

Robert Coughlin – Julie’s uncle

Charles Coughlin – Julie’s uncle

Howard Coughlin – Julie’s uncle

Michael Underwood – Julie’s brother

Melvin Lembke – Maurice’s father

Marvin Lembke – Maurice’s uncle

"It is fitting that all these family members are on the Memorial, which Maurice, Julie, and Lance helped to build," Peterson said. 

“The service and sacrifice of all our family veterans was worth our contributions to the Memorial and their memory,” said the Lembkes in a prepared statement.