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Prime Times In honor of their service By Meg Landers "These are buggy with aphids," Dede Simpson said as she cut a straying stem from a prickly, overgrown rose bush. "The bushes are supposed to have shape to them," said her husband, Gary Simpson. The Simpsons are working at Veterans Memorial Park in Medford, part of a team of seniors from Horton Plaza that makes Tuesday morning gardening visits to the park. Members of the group volunteer their time and gardening tools to maintain the grounds around the war memorial wall. Two events for veterans The park volunteers will participate in two Veterans Day events: The Horton Plaza social, honoring veterans and groups involved in Veterans Memorial Park. Where: Horton Plaza, 1122 Spring St. When: 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Information: Call Horton Plaza, 770-1122. A Veterans Day ceremony. Where: Veterans Memorial Park, corner of Highway 99 and Stewart Avenue, Medford. When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Don Libby, general manager of Horton Plaza, first conceived the adopt-a-park idea. "I put a notice out to all the residents," he said. "Most of our volunteers here are veterans themselves." "I spent 20 years in the Air Force," Gary Simpson said. "That was two or three lifetimes ago, during the Korean and Vietnam wars. In the occupation in Germany, I was there during the airlift." Veterans Memorial Park is a Medford city park at the corner of Highway 99 and Stewart Avenue. The park honors Southern Oregon men and women who gave their lives in American wars dating back to the state�s earliest days. While the city is in charge of general maintenance, Libby and his volunteers have taken over the detailed work of caring for the plants and walkways. They�re the only regular volunteer park team in the city. "We�re hoping this even catches on so more parks in the city will be adopted," Libby said. "I usually get down and pull the weeds," explained Mabel Pawlowski, whose late husband served in World War II. The 90-year-old woman confessed that she sometimes needs a hand getting up after kneeling to weed. Not enough is done to remember America�s soldiers, said veteran and volunteer Dale Flora. "I got home in �45. The years have really slipped by," said Flora, picking rose debris from his gloves. "It�s never too late to honor the other guys." "I had a few rose bushes of my own," said Carl Krack, the group�s other 90-year-old pruner. "I enjoy working in the garden. I�m thankful that I�m able to do what I can." Until a few months ago, the dozens of rose bushes were one big brambly mess. "We started with the roses because that was the main need," said Libby. The project has since evolved to include weeding, edging, leaf blowing and raking in addition to the pruning. With gardening tips from the city and encouragement from passersby, the Plaza group has grown into veteran caretakers. Before, however, rose pruning was foreign to the Simpsons. "We never did flowers," Dede Simpson explained. "We didn�t even know what we were doing." "We just thought we could make it look better," said Flora, proudly looking around at the flourishing plants. "And I think we have." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.