Finger Lake Memorial . . .
Steve MacDonald...KTUU Channel 2 News
Lisa being interviewed by Anchorman Steve MacDonald
Family and friends gathered at Finger Lake campground Monday to remember 17-year-old Brandon McManamy and dedicate a memorial in his honor.
Finger Lake Campground Palmer Alaska
McManamy drowned when the canoe he was riding in capsized in June last year. He was not wearing a life vest.
A wooden rack, holding life vests, serves as both reminders of McManamy and to help prevent another drowning at the Lake. For people who don't have life vests, they can borrow one from the rack before venturing onto Finger Lake.
Lisa sitting with Cindy (a friend of Brandon's) next to the Life Jacket Rack
"I grew up on this lake for 33 years and I felt a real kinship with this park and felt that we could do something to save lives in the future," Annette E. said.
Annette with Monty S. Park Ranger at Finger Lake
Edwards organized the construction of the rack. A Wasilla hardware store donated the lumber, the parks department built it and residents in the area are donating the life vests.
Brandon's mother, Lisa D., says the outpouring helps ease the pain of losing a son. "Little things I guess they are, but it does help...knowing his name will always be here," she said. (His Name, the Poem on a Bronze Plague near the Life Jacket Rack at Finger Lake written by Lisa D.)
Lisa priviliged to speak to and thank a member of the Dive Team
Lisa D. says she received phone calls from other families who also lost loved ones in drowning accidents. She says the stories share a common thread: The victims were not wearing life vests.
"When your that age, you don't think anything is going to happen to you. I know Brandon didn't," Lisa D. said. "It might not be cool to put one on, but they're for a reason, they're for a purpose, to save your life."
Brock K., John and Chris E. (friends of Brandon) and Mark D. (Brandon's Step-father)
Park rangers say early indications show people are getting the message. "It's kind of an attention-getter," Monty S. said. "They come up and read it. They look at the personal flotation devices, sort throughout them and pick the one they want, so it's working well."
If McManamy's memorial saves even one life, his mother says she'll know her son didn't die in vain.
The rack at Finger Lake is part of a federal program called "Kids Don't Float." Other communities, such as Homer and Seward, are also part of the program.
A wooden Rack with Life vest now stands in the Finger Lake parking lot.