There is now a permanent memorial in Mukwonago for Jackson Sparks, the boy who died in the Waukesha Christmas Parade
MUKWONAGO - Jackson Sparks, an avid ballplayer, certainly preferred to be on the field than sitting on the bench, except of course to be with his teammates.
Undoubtedly, Jackson's teammates still miss him and now they, and everyone else, have another way to remember Jackson, the youngest victim in the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.
A bench at Field Park was dedicated Thursday, June 16 in Jackson's honor as part of an effort by the Mukwonago Lions Club, to memorialize his young baseball legacy. Jackson's name will also be tied to a renovated ballfield in Waukesha under a separate project announced earlier this year.
Mukwonago is where the Sparks family lives and where Jackson went to school at Clarendon Avenue Elementary, so the local Lions Club sought local tribute.
"Through the Jerseys for Jackson program, and speaking with the family, we learned of Jackson's passion and love for baseball," said Chris Standlee, current president of the Mukwonago Lions Club, during the brief dedication ceremony.
The bench is meant to be a focal point, positioned adjacent to the home plate bleachers on the third base side of the field, where everyone can see it "and reflect on the love (Jackson) shared with his short time with us," Standlee added.
Fittingly, the bench carries an emblem that Jackson's team, the Waukesha Blazers, will wear on their uniforms this season.
Standlee thanked those who helped with the bench dedication, including Jackson's parents, Aaron and Sheri Sparks, as well as older brother Tucker, who was also among the dozens injured during the parade. Tucker threw out the first pitch during a youth baseball game following the dedication ceremony.
"It's a good location, and people will be able to enjoy the bench and watch some baseball — maybe some kids who are dreaming of being big leaguers," Aaron Sparks said. "You never know. It was very appropriate."
Others who assisted in the bench dedication included the Waukesha Blazers, Mukwonago Village President Fred Winchowky, village Trustee Darlene Johnson, village Public Works Director Ron Bittner, Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director April Reszka and and other Lions members.
The man charged in the parade attack, Darrell Brooks Jr., is currently facing 83 criminal counts, including six first-degree intentional homicide charges, in Waukesha County Circuit Court. His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 3.
Contact Jim Riccioli at (262) 446-6635 or james.riccioli@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jariccioli.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha parade victim Jackson Sparks gets memorial baseball bench
