Falcon organizations, residents and businesses have stepped up to the plate to establish the Dane Balcon Veterans Park in honor of U.S. Army Spc. Dane Balcon, who was killed in Iraq Sept. 5. Balcon graduated from Sand Creek High School, and his mother, Carla Sizer, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and stepfather, Larry Sizer, who is retired from the Air Force, and two younger brothers live in Woodmen Hills.
Woodmen Hills resident Jan Pizzi is leading the effort. She has set up a bank account – the Dane Balcon Veterans Park fundraiser – at The State Bank to help with the cost of the memorial stone.Pizzi said the veterans’ park is designated for the corner of Lambert and Kingston Heath roads in Woodmen Hills. The area will be renamed “Dane Balcon Veterans Park.” A memorial stone displaying the names of fallen soldiers on one side and police officers and firefighters – all from Falcon – on the other side will be placed at the site.A dedication ceremony for the Dane Balcon Veterans Park has been scheduled at 1 p.m. Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day and also Dane Balcon’s grandfather’s birthday, Pizzi said.”This is truly a community project and effort,” she said. “He (Dane) was so dedicated to serving his country.”Anyone interested in volunteering to help can contact Jan Pizzi at 495-1288. She is currently looking for a flagpole, an electrician to install a light and a bagpiper to play “Amazing Grace” at the dedication ceremony.Donations for the memorial stone and veterans park can be made at The State Bank at 7495 McLaughlin Road in Falcon. Ask for the Dane Balcon Veterans Park fund.
