In 1999, Cody Berg was riding his bike when he was struck by a car and killed. Cody's best friend Ryane, who was 15 at the time, was heartbroken. As a tribute to his friend, Ryane decided he wanted to make the area safer for others by building a parking lot where people could unload their bikes away from the busy road.
Years went by, and though funding was difficult to obtain, Ryane never gave up on his parking lot plans. He'd mow the lawn himself when cars began parking along the road. He'd think about Cody every day. And he even stuck with the plan after graduating high school and joining the Army.
But Ryane never got to finish his project for Cody. That's because in 2010, Ryane was killed while fighting overseas in Afghanistan at the age of 22.
But what started as a fallen soldier's dream is becoming a reality. Ryane's parents, Rick and Tracey, decided to return to the parking lot's plans and oversee its completion. They refused to give up on getting the state to provide funding. Now, 12 years after Ryane first started his project, his parents are finishing it with the help of their community. With major obstacles along the way, funding finally came in. The parking lot is paved. This past week, volunteers helped add flag poles. Next year, Rick and Tracey will add a memorial stone with both Ryane and Cody's faces on it.
Rick and Tracey know their son is looking down from heaven and couldn't be more proud. "Knowing [Ryane], he’s smiling from ear to ear, sitting right with Cody and smiling." Tracy says.
What an awesome tale of love, determination, and respect. Please enjoy the inspiring story below, and SHARE it with your friends on Facebook.
