Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial

It’s nice to see a more robust tribute to the military in a place called Soldiers Field than what was here years ago. The track is nice, the golf course is okay, but this makes a fitting remembrance.
Rochester really did a nice job in creating a memorial wall honoring veterans and the military. Made of etched granite, the wall briefly depicts in pictures and words major military actions since the Revolutionary war. It has the names of deceased veterans from SE Minnesota beginning with the Civil War. The pictures of the major conflicts etched into the granite are striking. Visually it’s almost too much to process in a short visit.
As you walk in, there are paving stones with names of veterans and allies. Around the memorial are trees, one representing each state, or benches dedicated to specific families or people. There’s a book from the dedication listing the names on the wall or stones, and giving directions to locate it. It’s nicely done.
Unique among most memorials, this was built by donations instead of tax revenues. While the names are focused on SE Minnesota, this site really honors all veterans. It’s an easy walk from the Mayo Clinic and on a nice day is a quiet respite from the nearby traffic.