On September 7, family and friends gathered at East End Park in Thurmont to dedicate a “buddy bench” in memory of Lane “Bub” Miesner.

Lane, a student at Catoctin High School, passed away tragically in December 2023 due to a rare medical condition called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

The family had been working with the Town of Thurmont to come up with a way to honor Miesner’s legacy and decided the bench would offer a place of reflection and remembrance.

The location of the bench at East End Park holds deep meaning, positioned near the ball fields where Lane spent countless hours cheering on his sisters—he was their #1 fan.  During the ceremony, friends and family signed the concrete area around the bench with messages for Lane.

Lane’s mother, Liz Miesner, expressed, “I want to thank all of you for loving and accepting Lane for who he was. And to his classmates at Walkersville and to many friends he made in his short time that he was at Catoctin, for being such a good friend to him. He truly loved you all, and for that, I love you all of you, and I will forever be grateful for the kindness that you showed my son.”

The next time you are at East End  Park, be sure to stop and take a rest on the bench and remember the inspiration Lane was to the entire community.

An ‘In Loving Memory of Lane “Bub” Miesner’ plaque hangs on the back of the “buddy bench” dedicated in honor of Lane.

Many friends and family take time to sign a special message to Lane during the bench dedication ceremony.

Friends and family of Lane “Bub” Miesner gather at East End Park on September 7 to dedicate a “buddy bench” in his memory.