Riverwalk Park Groundbreaking by Jeremy Masterson

I am sure that like I, those that braved the chilly temperatures for the groundbreaking were glad they took the time to do so. Being part of an event that is almost a decade in the making was a fantastic experience. The groundbreaking opened with the pledge of allegiance and was followed by a poem about the value of having a place to spend time with family. Representatives from the many facets of the project and the city of Des Moines had an opportunity to address the audience and all shared the theme of how great it was that Rotary could be part of such an historic part of the Principal River Walk and all of the many individuals that helped along the way. Along with some of the major donors given credit, such as the Gabus Family and Principal, two individuals from our own club were named as major parts of the success of the project outside of the Des Moines Club, Erna Morain and Roger Schlaefer whose leadership and inspiration drove much of the spirit of this project. After the photos had been taken, the event ended with the entire group reciting the four way test which, considering the project, all of the many Rotarians that participated in its success, and the benefit this will have to the community, a more perfect ending could not have had. 

Jeremy Masterson