Buckley’s parkside totem has been visible to state Route 410 passersby for months, but the imposing landmark will soon be receiving an official dedication. The Veterans Monument, a city Arts Commission project more than a year in the making, will have an official dedication ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7. The 30-minute ceremony will include speakers and a military presence.

“We don’t have all the details worked out yet,” Arts Commissioner Bob Olson said. “We’re trying to get military equipment for the ceremony. But we’ll have a military band, honor guard and color guard.”

The monument consists of a totem pole topped by an eagle, adjacent to the Foothills Trail, between Jefferson Avenue and Ryan Road. Olson incorporated the 43-foot tall Douglas fir totem to signify the community’s strong ties to the forestry, timber and logging industries.

The totem is fronted by rocks for each of the military branches – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard – and one brick wall, each brick to be engraved with the name of a veteran living or dead. The monument is designed to accommodate four such walls.

For information, contact Olson at 253-370-7907.