Legislator Joseph Lorigo joined the county executive, parks commissioner and members of the Rademacher family, and Wales residents in unveiling a sign designating “Sgt. Mark A. Rademacher Memorial Park/ Hunter’s Creek Park” in Wales. Sgt. Rademacher, a Wales Center native, was killed in action during “Operation Urgent Fury” in Grenada; while the Park was renamed for him in 1983, today’s unveiling marks the first time a sign has reflected the Park’s new name.

Sgt. Rademacher, the son of a World War II veteran and one of several siblings and family members serving in the military, was a 1981 graduate of Iroquois High School. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many hours hunting, trapping, and hiking in the woods at Hunter’s Creek Park, as well as conducting personal training there in preparation for his upcoming military service. After graduation, Rademacher went into the Army and after basic training became an Army Ranger. While a Ranger he also became a Jungle expert, Expert marksman, and competed in the Best Ranger Competition.

The park signs were unveiled on Nov. 16, 2012.

“Today I am honored to be a part of this well-deserved recognition of Sgt. Mark Rademacher, who paid the ultimate price on October 25, 1983 during combat operations in Grenada,” said Legislator Lorigo. “Here in this park, named in his honor, his hometown will forever remember him for his service to his country.”

Sgt. Mark A. Rademacher/Hunter’s Creek Park is an undeveloped, 740-acre Park located three miles east of the Village of East Aurora. Owned by Erie County, the Park offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. Designated by the Erie County Parks Master Plan as a “Conservation Park”, it contains a deep gorge, a shale bottom creek, ravines, open meadows, and both ancient and second growth forests.