'The flag pole will be the candle on the cake'

It might be said that Phase II of the cleanup project at the National Czech Cemetery is nearly complete.
Due to the cleanup and restoration efforts of some dedicated Blooming Prairie area volunteers, the Czech National Cemetery has taken on a new look, a make-over.
The Czech cemetery, founded in 1893, is located near a gravel road in Summit Township, about seven miles northwest of Blooming Prairie.
Cleanup and restoration are still taking place with the goal of the cemetery volunteers to see a 25-foot flagpole installed by next Memorial Day in the middle of the cemetery.
Jim Johnson, 100% Norwegian, has assumed the role of project coordinator. He and his wife Shirley have been two active ingredients in leading the workload at the cemetery.
The Johnsons live a short distance to the south of the Czech cemetery.
Wearing a bright yellow golf shirt, Bermuda shorts and a well-worn baseball cap, Johnson resembles former Alabama college football coach Bear Bryant. He brings construction experience to the forefront of cemetery projects.
"The flagpole will be the candle on the cake," said a proud Jim Johnson.
The first part of the restoration project, which began two years ago, included digging up old fencing that had been buried in the grass.
Johnson said 400 feet of fencing was re-installed. Sixty-three poles hold the fence. The cast-iron fencing was powder coated with the help of Extreme Powder Coating.
The cemetery cleanup is soon to enter its third phase, which is the fundraising part. In actuality, the cemetery cleanup has been put together in many mini-projects.
The most recent restoration featured the removal of stumps in the cemetery, five on the front side and five on the backside. Workers also restored the storage shed, accented with a fresh coat of paint. Some boards had to be replaced, too.
Last year, volunteers power-washed gravestones and straightened about a dozen of them.
Johnson's work crew includes his wife Shirley, Bob Starman, Mark Starman, Bob Haberman, Eddie Haberman, Travis Sexton and Steve Wencl. Johnson believes the initial project totaled more than 500 hours.
Bob Starman is the chief maintenance man, doing small projects, including sculpture work on the cemetery arch and gates. He also mows the grass and trims the trees at the cemetery.
Much of the materials for piping the cemetery fences came from McNeilius Steel of Dodge Center. Steele-Waseca Electric provided the top cable material. Another 400 feet of back fence on the west and north sides has been repaired.
During the second phase of cemetery work, the front arch and gates were restored with new piping. Extreme Powder Coating sandblasted the lettering on the entrance sign.
The sign reads: Cesco-Slovanski Narodni Hrbitov or Czech Slavonic National Cemetery. Its name was eventually shortened to Cesko Narodni National Hrbitov or Czech National Cemetery.
All scroll work is original. Bob Starman made the four cast-iron adornments (crosses) for the arch and gate.
Next year's project in 2022 will be to promote a fund drive to pay for a new 5-inch by 28-foot aluminum flag pole. Donations can be sent to Steve Wencl, treasurer. Barbara Lewis is president of the cemetery board. Robert Starman is secretary.
"We have some damn good people on our team," Johnson said.
Bob Starman's grandparents are buried in the Czech National Cemetery. The Johnsons point to a granite bench that will serve as a gravestone for them. "We made an exception and will allow these two Norwegians to be buried in this Czech cemetery," laughs Wencl.
Johnson says he is deeply indebted to many local people and businesses for help with the cemetery restoration projects.
He listed these people and businesses on his "shout-out" list: Tiffany and Barbara Peterson of Extreme Powder Coating and their employees; Joe Haberman, Joe's Repair; Johnson Tree Service; B to Z Hardware; Jim Ruzek and Bob Starman.
What other new ideas does Johnson have for making the Czech National Cemetery more presentable?
"We'll see," Johnson replied.