David DeWett Memorial Wayside

~~~ To Read about the Memorial History and View ~~~
~~ Chronological Photos scroll down the page ~~

A few years ago our local Point Man Ministries group checked with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding a stretch of highway to maintain via the state Adopt-a-Highway program. After waiting for sometime, our organization was offered to do something more unusual. The state offered us the opportunity to Adopt-a-Wayside just north of the McCullough Bridge as you are heading north from North Bend, Oregon. The icing was they said we could place a veterans memorial on the site as long as it did not block the view of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area or the McCullough Bridge. We were thrilled to be presented with such a wonderful opportunity..!

(Left) - A photo taken by the USCG per our request. Thanks Guys...!
(Right) - A Google satellite image.

Here is an aerial photo of the wayside. It has an arched concrete curb the entire length of the brownish road surface area:

Navy veteran, David Dewett, immediately showed great interest in the wayside. He began organizing work parties to tidy up the area. Small groups of volunteers would go out and mow the lawn and pick up trash. Picnic tables were placed on the site and the state erected this sign:

Shortly before being diagnosed with lung cancer, David sort of chastised all of us at a meeting for not acting more quickly on a design for the wayside. We were all humbled by his tough love.

The cancer accelerated and Brother Dave passed away on August 6, 2005. A Celebration of Life was held for him at his home on South Lakeside. Many showed to pay their respects. During the time of mourning it was decided to honor Dave with the "David Dewett Veterans Memorial Wayside". His family is very grateful for our thoughts regarding David.

It was with great sadness that we reported that Dave's wife, Lynette Roseveare DeWett, passed away as a result of a single car accident on March 4, 2007. May she rest is peace with Dave...

Large Boulders were donated by Sam Main (L) of the Main Rock Quarry.
Mark Winders on the right sizing up the front end loader.

The 73rd Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned the day before David Dewett passed away. In their legislative session they passed House Bill 2739 that allows for the following: "State funding assistance made available from State Parks and Recreation to nonprofit veterans' organizations for constructing and restoring veterans and war memorials located on public property." Our local Point Man Ministries outreach is a "nonprofit" organization and the property is "public". We view this as an answer to prayer and a real blessing. Point Man will be applying for funding when the program begins in January 2006.

When David Kronsteiner, lifetime resident, Owner and President of West Coast Contractors (WCC) in Coos Bay, heard about the DDVMW in 2007 he was moved in a special way. Dave appointed his Superintendent, Dave Gerlach, to investigate into what it would take to encourage a group of local and state contractors/unions to garner enough support to complete Phase I of the project. Through the ensuing months both Dave's tackled the idea with great zeal. We are thrilled to announce that they, with the assistance of many volunteers, have succeeded...! We received a Letter of Commitment for $47,788.82 from West Coast Contractors dated February 6, 2008.

Phase I will consist of the excavation, form work and all concrete that will become the rough base for the memorial. Weather permitting, the construction will in late March or early April of 2008.

After brainstorming for months our Point Man DDVMW Committee submitted a grant application to the Veterans' and War Memorial Grants program, which is sponsored by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The total request submitted in December 2007 for Phase II was $63,000.00, which included 20% in Matching Funds by our organization. We are extremely happy to announce that the Veterans and War Memorial Grants committee authorized the maximum grant of $50,400.00 on March 13, 2008...!

Once all signatures are in place on the grant we will begin ordering the Granite slabs and Engraving. Central Lincoln People's Utility District will install a power pole and Reese Electric will connect to it as well as do the electrical portion of the project. We are confident that Phases I & II will be completed by mid-summer.

Point Man Outpost 101 is already planning for Phase III of the memorial. We would like to refine the project with more benches, bronze plaques, a sundial, additional walkways and more landscaping. Our organization will be responsible for maintenance of the memorial through the years as well so we are continuing to seek on going donations of cash and/or paver bricks. See donation/brick information below.

If you or your business would like to donate to the
David Dewett Veterans Memorial Wayside
then we will thankfully accept your gift and apply 100%
of it to the designated project.

** CLICK HERE **

to access a PDF Paver Brick Form that you can fill out and Mail to Point Man.