NEW LONDON –– A dream of a Boy Scout that started after a little boy was killed in 1999 in a bicycling accident on the edge of New London was made a reality Sunday by the parents of that Boy Scout – Ryane Clark – who was killed in 2010 while on active duty in Afghanistan.
With flag-bearing Patriot Guard members circling the new trail head parking lot and memorial site, a crowd of family, friends, military members and Boy Scouts dedicated the Ryane Clark parking area that will provide a safe place for bicyclists using the Glacial Lakes State Trail.
“This started as a dream and today you are all part of that dream,” said Rick Clark, during the dedication service as he stood alongside his wife, Tracy.
Ryane Clark had wanted to create a parking lot for his Eagle Scout project after his classmate, Cody Berg, was killed in a bike accident when Berg was 10 years old.
Because the project was too complicated for Clark to complete for his Eagle Scout project, he kept pursuing the idea even through college and when he joined the military.
After Clark was killed in the war, his parents took up the task and ground was broken last October in a project that was done in cooperation with the Clark family, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the city of New London.
The project includes not only getting a spacious parking area but also creating a memorial with flags, bench and a place for a bronze bust of Clark that will be installed next spring.
Taking on their son’s un-finished dream was “not a journey Tracy and I wanted to take,” said Rick Clark.
“Thank you for not forgetting Ryane,” he said. “Thank you for joining us on this journey.”
Besides the U.S. flag and POW/MIA flag that fly over the memorial, a new “Honor and Remember” flag was also raised. The flag honors service members who died while in service. Legislation that was approved this year makes Minnesota the 21st state to allow this flag to be flown on public facilities.
Tracy Clark testified at the Capitol numerous times to make the legislation happen, said Mike LaBelle, from the state’s Honor and Remember chapter. He said it took three years for the state to adopt the bill.
“This is amazing,” said Tracy Clark, as she addressed the crowd during the dedication service.
After nearly everyone had left the site and she and Rick were picking up handfuls of small flags that had lined the walkway, Tracy Clark looked at the completed parking area and smiled. “It’s done,” she said.
