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Editor
Gary W. Meyer
THE JEFFERSON SQUARE PARK Veterans Memorial, proposed for construction near City Hall in Big Lake. Fundraising plans are underway, and bids are expected out soon for its construction.
Big Lake will be celebrating its new Veterans Memorial in 2016 if current plans take hold.
The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, promoters of the memorial, set for Jefferson Square next to City Hall, is anticipated to meet in the coming weeks to finalize plans and specifications for it.
Once bids are accepted for its construction - and fundraising meets goals - the structure should be in place in the summer, reports Mayor Raeanne Danielowski. An estimate of costs has yet to be determined.
The memorial is expected to be designed from three headstones, with emblems of all branches of service prominently displayed. Names of veterans, killed in action and who died back home, are expected to be placed on the two outside headstones.
Bolten-Menk, the city’s engineering firm, will be doing the plans for free.
“We’ve been doing some revenue raising,” Danielowski said. “The Big Lake American Legion will be contributing - and the Lord of Glory church will be designating revenues from its Pumpkinfest last October.” Also, funds from the recent Big Lake Roast (of Former Mayor Don Orrock) will be turned over to the Memorial project.
Persons and organizations are encouraged to contribute to the project. They may send checks to Big Lake City, ATTN: Memorial Fund, 160 Lake Street North, Big Lake, MN 55309.
“We’ve always felt the community has been missing a veterans memorial,” said Danielowski. “This past year, with the start of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, that proposal was presented - their response has been just fabulous.”
The memorial will be visible to passersby on Hwys. 10 and 25.
“It’s important we recognize and honor those who fought and died and those who returned from action, fighting for our freedom, the mayor said. “This is something our community can do.”
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