Memorial bench planned for Green River student

A memorial bench for a Green River High School student who died shortly before graduation will be placed at Expedition Island later this month.

The bench will be installed to memorialize Brett McKeehan, who died May 15.

According to Brett’s father Steve, the project came about after the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees refused to do anything following the omission of Brett’s name from the high school graduation ceremony. Along with the city’s parks and recreation department, Steve said four local businesses were involved in donations and work needed for the project.

Steve said he wasn’t sure where it should go at first.

“I had no idea where I wanted it,” he said. “But, immediately something told me at the island by the playground.”

After a short meeting with the parks and recreation department, the site was approved.

Steve said he also intends to place two steel memorial crosses, one at the rock Brett fell from and another for his favorite rock in Telephone Canyon.

“Hopefully I’ll have them completed before winter,” he said.