Tucked between Horseshoe Cove and the Bass River Park, is a quiet little spot where a plaque bears the name of the only person from Dennis to have lost his life in the Vietnam War.

The park is named for Marine pfc. Joseph Merrill, and is easy to miss if you don’t know where to look, but it’s a quiet, peaceful spot set back from the road, looking out at the placid water.

Land Management Specialist for the Dennis Department of Natural resources, Brian Everett is working with the Dennis VFW and Cape Cod Veterans Inc., to give the park a facelift and make it handicap accessible.

“The old walkway wasn’t handicap accessible, the new one will be,” Everett said.

He noted that local veteran’s groups have helped make the project possible, along with a $3,500 grant from Barnstable County.

“The veterans have been pretty crucial with outreach,” Everett said.

Harry Authelet of the Dennis VFW said that local veterans have been helping to spruce the park up little by little.

“This is one our guys have been involved with for a long time,” he said. “The president of Cape Cod Veterans Inc. have planted trees here.”

Everett began the “Adopt-a-Board” program to raise money for the renovation of the park, and give locals a chance to honor loved ones. For $80 residents can purchase a board engraved with the named of someone they’d like to honor. Like a lot of people, Everett has a personal connection to the military without ever having enlisted.

“My father served 27 years,” Everett said. “He’s a Korean War vet.” 

Authelet is a Marine Core veteran who served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, and he said that Everett has been helping to move the project along, and the grant he secured sped up the progress.

”I know Brian’s been on top of it since I’ve been around,” Authelet said.

He has been helping Everett get the word out about the project.

“The veterans have been pretty crucial with outreach,” Everett noted. “Getting the grant was the keystone,” to completing the project.

So, far 80 boards have been purchased, and they need a total of 200 to complete the walkway.

Everett is hoping to finish the project before Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, when he plans to unveil the final product.

“There’s a certain amount of urgency to get the rest of the boards sold,” Everett noted. “I think it’s fitting to have it reopened on Veteran’s Day.