09/11/2026
I may be rooted firmly here along the roadside in Little Falls, but that doesn't mean I don't witness journeys.
Day after day, I watch skilled hands shape granite into tributes that will stand for generations. Some pieces honor loved ones. Others celebrate communities. And some preserve the stories of those who served our nation.
Recently, I watched another meaningful project leave Create a Legacy's yard and begin its own journey to Camp Ripley's new Military Museum, opening tomorrow, September 12.
Among the exhibits and artifacts that will tell the story of military service in Minnesota, visitors will find the new Court of Honor recognition plaques engraved right here in Little Falls.
There is something fitting about history being recorded in stone. Long after photographs fade and memories grow distant, granite remains. It stands quietly, carrying names, stories, and legacies forward for future generations.
Though I won't be making the trip myself, I take pride in knowing that a small piece of what I witness every day has found a home at Camp Ripley, helping honor those whose service deserves to be remembered.
If you're attending the museum's grand opening tomorrow, take a moment to stop at the Court of Honor. Read the names. Reflect on the heroism and distinguished service. Consider the legacy.
After all, some stories are too important to be temporary.
They deserve to be carved in stone.
