Construction of Veterans Memorial Park
January 28, 2015
Construction of Veterans Memorial Park
Leitchfield, Ky. January 26, 2015 –
The City of Leitchfield, American Legion Post 81, and the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce their association and partnership in the creation of a Veterans Memorial Park to be located within the James D. Beville City Park. The goal of the memorial park is to honor the sacrifices and service of all United States veterans from each of the five military branches, and to say thank you to the men and women who have served our country by putting their lives and their families’ future and welfare in jeopardy to protect and defend our nation.
The idea for construction of the memorial was presented to the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors at their Board of Directors January Board meeting, and a proposal for the Chamber to participate in a joint effort to create the memorial was approved unanimously by its Directors. “We are extremely excited anytime our Chamber has the opportunity to work jointly with other groups in our community, but we are particularly pleased to participate in a project to honor our veterans.” stated Chamber President, Kevin Brooks.
Upon approval and commitment from the Chamber, the idea for a joint effort in the construction was discussed with American Legion Post 81’s Post Commander, Shane Thomason. Thomason echoed Mr. Brooks’ sentiment and commented “We sincerely appreciate the desire and intent to honor the men and women of Grayson County who have served our country, but to also show our community our American Legion Post is committed to working with others to make Grayson County a better place to live and to work and to raise our families. We are looking forward to working jointly to complete the memorial.”
At the January 20th Leitchfield City Council meeting, construction of the memorial was discussed again to gain the City’s support. It was noted the focal point of the memorial will be a 100’ lighted flagpole displaying the United States flag. The desire is to have the lighted flag visible from the Wendell Ford Western Kentucky Parkway, and its proposed location with the City Park would give it that presence. It was further explained six additional 20’ flagpoles, displaying a flag for each of the five branches of the armed service and one pole displaying a flag honoring and remembering prisoners of war and those missing in action, would form a semi-circle around the United States flag.
The City Council was asked to consider locating the memorial within the park and to serve as the repository of the donations and funds contributed for its construction. Following discussion, a motion was made and passed unanimously for the City to be a participant in the memorial project with the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion Post 81. Mayor William Thomason stated, “We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. This Memorial will be just a token of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice, but a Memorial of which they can take pride. Not only will it show appreciation to our veterans, but it will also, because of its location, show our community, our state and even the world we honor our veterans and we love our country. It will further serve as example to our community of what can be accomplished when people are willing to work together for a common goal.”
The funding of the proposed memorial will be paid for by donations and the public’s purchase of commemorative 8” x 8” brick pavers engraved in recognition of their family members, friends and co-workers who have served in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy. The engraved pavers, which will be incorporated into the memorial’s plaza, will offer an opportunity for the general public to show heartfelt support for all men and women, living and deceased, who have contributed their all for our freedom and our country’s well-being. The goal for the completion and dedication of the memorial is set for Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2015. To complete the project within this timeframe, the engraved pavers will be on sale until Memorial Day, May 25, 2015. Order forms will be available at Leitchfield City Hall, the Centre on Main, American Legion Post 81 and various other businesses throughout Grayson County.
Leitchfield, Ky. January 26, 2015 –
The City of Leitchfield, American Legion Post 81, and the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce their association and partnership in the creation of a Veterans Memorial Park to be located within the James D. Beville City Park. The goal of the memorial park is to honor the sacrifices and service of all United States veterans from each of the five military branches, and to say thank you to the men and women who have served our country by putting their lives and their families’ future and welfare in jeopardy to protect and defend our nation.
The idea for construction of the memorial was presented to the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors at their Board of Directors January Board meeting, and a proposal for the Chamber to participate in a joint effort to create the memorial was approved unanimously by its Directors. “We are extremely excited anytime our Chamber has the opportunity to work jointly with other groups in our community, but we are particularly pleased to participate in a project to honor our veterans.” stated Chamber President, Kevin Brooks.
Upon approval and commitment from the Chamber, the idea for a joint effort in the construction was discussed with American Legion Post 81’s Post Commander, Shane Thomason. Thomason echoed Mr. Brooks’ sentiment and commented “We sincerely appreciate the desire and intent to honor the men and women of Grayson County who have served our country, but to also show our community our American Legion Post is committed to working with others to make Grayson County a better place to live and to work and to raise our families. We are looking forward to working jointly to complete the memorial.”
At the January 20th Leitchfield City Council meeting, construction of the memorial was discussed again to gain the City’s support. It was noted the focal point of the memorial will be a 100’ lighted flagpole displaying the United States flag. The desire is to have the lighted flag visible from the Wendell Ford Western Kentucky Parkway, and its proposed location with the City Park would give it that presence. It was further explained six additional 20’ flagpoles, displaying a flag for each of the five branches of the armed service and one pole displaying a flag honoring and remembering prisoners of war and those missing in action, would form a semi-circle around the United States flag.
The City Council was asked to consider locating the memorial within the park and to serve as the repository of the donations and funds contributed for its construction. Following discussion, a motion was made and passed unanimously for the City to be a participant in the memorial project with the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion Post 81. Mayor William Thomason stated, “We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. This Memorial will be just a token of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice, but a Memorial of which they can take pride. Not only will it show appreciation to our veterans, but it will also, because of its location, show our community, our state and even the world we honor our veterans and we love our country. It will further serve as example to our community of what can be accomplished when people are willing to work together for a common goal.”
The funding of the proposed memorial will be paid for by donations and the public’s purchase of commemorative 8” x 8” brick pavers engraved in recognition of their family members, friends and co-workers who have served in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy. The engraved pavers, which will be incorporated into the memorial’s plaza, will offer an opportunity for the general public to show heartfelt support for all men and women, living and deceased, who have contributed their all for our freedom and our country’s well-being. The goal for the completion and dedication of the memorial is set for Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2015. To complete the project within this timeframe, the engraved pavers will be on sale until Memorial Day, May 25, 2015. Order forms will be available at Leitchfield City Hall, the Centre on Main, American Legion Post 81 and various other businesses throughout Grayson County.
Contact:
Steve Meredith, Project Coordinator
slmeredith@wildblue.com, 270-230-3301
