RV park memorial honors military, first responders
Rocky Point RV Retreat residents work on raising the United States and Texas flags in order to dedicate the memorial last Saturday. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
Hidden away in a small valley outside of Medina, the veterans of the Rocky Point RV Retreat in Medina came together to erect a tribute to all members of the armed services and first responders.
The memorial was the brainchild of Air Force veteran and park resident Gabe Biemeret, who funded the project with his wife Mae personally and with donations from other residents.
“My family has over 100 years of service in the military, so this idea was natural,” said Gabe, who spent 23 years in the Air Force.
Over two months ago, Biemeret started researching flags, flag poles and other memorial structures. He asked if the park would let him take over the center of an open space by the clubhouse, and they gladly accepted his proposal.
He designated a large boulder to be the center piece for the memorial.
Many Rocky Point veterans were quick to volunteer to help with the project.
Around the boulder, Biemeret and fellow veterans Harry Hight, George Osbourne, Mark Stroddard, Ray Leavell, Charlie Hart and Manny Escoviedo centered five telescoping flag poles with solar lighting on top.
Each pole holds two flags representing the various armed forces as well as the POW flag, Veterans’ flag, US flag and Texas flag.
On Saturday, May 29, the residents of the park came together to dedicate the memorial.
Biemeret said a few words and a prayer to honor the occasion, and then the men came together to raise the flags and flag poles.
The group proudly stood watch as pictures were taken to remember the event.
All the park’s veterans posed at the memorial for a group picture.
After receiving lots of appreciative comments, the whole group convened at the club house for a potluck supper to celebrate.
Rocky Point RV Retreat is a senior (over 50) RV park with 90 residents, many of whom are veterans.
Located approximately five miles north of Medina on Highway 16, it is geared toward long term rentals, not just for RVers but also those who wish to live in park model homes.
For more information, contact Managers George or June Osbourne at 210-413-9216 or go to rockypointrvretreat.com.