Monticello rededicates PFC Robert C. Burke Memorial Park after major upgrades
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Summary
Monticello held a rededication ceremony for PFC Robert C. Burke Memorial Park, unveiling landscaping, courts, playgrounds, a memorial plaza and other improvements and featuring remarks from veterans, family and local leaders.
Monticello officials and veterans gathered to rededicate PFC Robert C. Burke Memorial Park on a summer morning, marking the completion of improvements that include a walking path, expanded landscaping, new lighting and recreational courts and facilities. Mayor Larry Stoner opened the ceremony and thanked community members and veteran organizations involved in the project.
The ceremony, held at the park named for PFC Robert C. Burke, brought state and local officials, family members and veterans to the park for remarks and readings. “It’s my privilege to be the master of ceremony for today's rededication,” Mayor Larry Stoner said, and he listed the site improvements: a walking path, “new landscaping of over 600 trees and plantings,” new lighting, a playground, an amphitheater with stone seating, shelters, a relocated gazebo originally constructed by the Lions Club, a lighted basketball court, four lighted pickleball courts, a lighted tennis court, additional parking, a bus drop-off area, a pedestrian crosswalk, new park signage, a memorial plaza with a PFC Robert C. Burke memorial panel and biographical panels, and bicycle racks designed and constructed by the Monticello High School industrial arts class.
The program included an invocation by the Reverend Paul Spangler of First Presbyterian Church at Monticello. State Representative Reagan Dearing presented a certificate of recognition from the 104th General Assembly to the city and to the Burke family, saying the recognition honors Burke’s legacy and the community effort to restore the park.
Nick Nichols, commander of Hamburg American Legion Post 101 in Monticello, recalled Burke’s service and the local scholarship the post supports. “In Monticello, Robert's name is forever etched in our hearts,” Nichols said. He noted the post sponsors the PFC Robert C. Burke Memorial Scholarship, awarded to three Monticello High School graduating seniors each year.
Seth Floyd, commander of Hyatt County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5346, read the Medal of Honor citation for PFC Burke, recounting the actions cited by the award: single-man assaults on enemy emplacements under intense fire, efforts to enable evacuation of wounded comrades, and ultimately being mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire. Floyd read the official citation language, including that Burke’s “gallant actions have held the highest traditions of the Marine Corps.”
Frederick Curtis Stubey, a corporal and squad leader who served with Burke’s unit, offered a first-person account of the combat conditions surrounding the action for which Burke received the Medal of Honor. Stubey described intense enemy fire, heavy casualties and close combat during the operation, and said Burke’s actions relieved pressure on other Marines so wounded could be moved to safety.
Marilyn Burke Spurlock, Burke’s sister, spoke about his childhood in the area, recalled family memories and noted local tributes to her brother beyond the park: a monument on the courthouse lawn and displays of his medals in the courthouse. She said Burke “was 18 years, 6 months and 10 days old” when he died and expressed gratitude that the park bears his name.
Mayor Stoner thanked many community partners by name, including the Monticello Joint Honor Guard, members of the Burke family, the Monticello High School industrial arts class for the bicycle racks, the Lions Club for the original gazebo, the Savoy Fire Department and local ambulance service. State Senator Sally Turner and Major Alex Irion, commanding officer at the Marine Corps recruiting station, were also recognized onstage during the program.
The rededication ceremony blended military honors and community recognition: a presentation of colors by the Third Battalion, 20th Marines and a rifle salute were part of the program. Organizers asked attendees to rise for those honors.
The event highlighted both the physical improvements to the park and continuing local efforts to remember Burke through scholarships, displays and the memorial plaza. No formal city votes or policy actions were part of the ceremony; organizers and elected officials used the program to recognize veterans, thank volunteers and note the park’s renewed amenities.
