The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

June 7, 2010

Grateful dad offers thanks for Thompson Pier

By Mark Fischenich The Free Press

NORTH MANKATO — Charlie and Barb Thompson of North Mankato had only seen pictures of the fishing pier being constructed on Spring Lake Park while they wintered in Florida — the pier that will be named in honor of their son next month.

“When we got back, we found so much more than we expected,” Charlie Thompson told the North Mankato City Council Monday night.

It was only about three weeks ago that they saw it for the first time, and now they can’t stay away.

“We go down there every day,” he said.

The pier, which includes a 30-foot-diameter circular deck at the end of an 80-foot walkway, will officially become the Jacob Thompson Fishing Pier at a dedication ceremony on July 11 — named after the Army staff sergeant and North Mankato native killed three years ago by an IED while leading a Stryker Squad  in Iraq.

Charlie Thompson decided he couldn’t wait until July 11 to give his thanks to City Administrator Wendell Sande, who suggested the pier be built and dedicated to Sgt. Thompson, and the five-member City Council who approved the idea.

“Everything is first-class down there, and the Thompson family is just so honored that the council is doing this in Jacob’s honor,” he said.

Wanting to offer more than words, Thompson asked the city workers installing the decking on the pier if they had any extra pieces of ironwood, the somewhat exotic and exceptionally durable wood being used.

A wood-turner, Thompson created six finely-crafted pens he presented to the council. He fashioned more that he will be giving today to the city workers constructing the pier — “just to remind them they’ve done something good for the community.”

As a kid, Jacob Thompson loved to fish at Spring Lake Park and his dad loved to fish with him. That continued until his death.

“We were always together, fishing,” Charlie Thompson said. “... Since I lost Jacob, I haven’t been able to buy a fishing license. I haven’t been able to drop a line in.”

But Thompson said he knows countless other dads and kids will be using Jacob’s pier for years to come. And maybe he will, too.

“I hope, after the dedication, I’ll be able to take my two grandchildren down there and do that,” he said.

The ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 11.

 

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