NILES, Mich. -- Brandywine Schools dedicated a new flag pole and flag Tuesday, in honor of students who've passed away.

This marked the first phase of the memorial, that's eventually going to include lights and a sidewalk.

The flag pole was donated by the Curran family.Their son Patrick died last year in a motorcycle crash. His father says the dedication brings up a mix of emotions.

"It kind of stirs up some of those emotions you feel good in the fact that you're going to have structure that that all kids can be remembered by,” said Jim Curran.

The school hopes the entire memorial will be finished before the beginning of school next year.