The United State flag was raised on the western pole and the POW-MIA flag was added eastern pole. The two flag poles were paid for using leftover funds from the initial memorial fund. In 2022, private donations paid for the creation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In front of the memorial are six granite benches pay tribute to the six New Ulm servicemen who were killed in Vietnam: Dennis Wellmann, Daniel Lloyd, Henry Polzin, Timothy Sullivan, Steven Seemann and Rickey Slander.

New Ulm Park and Rec. Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Weier said the entire memorial was paid for with donated funds and after it was placed in 2022, but there was still leftover money.

Park and Rec. Director Joey Schugel said there was around $17,000 in leftover funds. The city kept the money in a protected fund for the last two years.

After consulting with the original donors and area veteran groups it was decided to use the money to pay for the two flag poles. The cost of the two flag poles and the installation was $7,345. This leaves a little under $10,000 funds remaining.

Dan Felix with Coil’s Flags and Flagpoles in St. Cloud raises the United States flag for the first time at Vietnam Memorial in German Park. The flag was raised on one of two new flag pole placed at the Memorial Tuesday morning. The flag poles were paid for through left over funds from the initial Vietnam Memorial donation.

Schugel said the extra funds could be used for additional lighting on the flags or concrete work near the memorial, but nothing has been officially budgeted.

There is already an existing flag pole in German Park located closer to the fountain. Weier said this flag pole will be repurposed and moved to another site in the park system next spring or summer.

Adam Coil with Coil’s Flags and Flagpoles in St. Cloud raises the new POW-MIA flag in German Park next to the Vietnam memorial. Two new flag poles were installed in German Park Tuesday, paid for with leftover funds from the original memorial donation.