“Generally, everything is going well.” Those are the remarks of the two chairs of Fennimore’s Veterans Memorial Project, Dagna Doan and Merry Cooley. Since the project began just over one year ago around Veterans Day, over $51,000 has been raised toward the future of Memorial Park. Between $130,000 and $150,000 needs to be raised before the project and perpetual care funds can be paid.
“Some weeks we receive $200 (in donations) and others we receive $2,000. I’m surprised that it’s been nearly all individual donations to this point, and very few businesses and organizations have given. But due to the economy, we feel we are doing well and we are very thankful for what we’ve gotten.”
In October of this year, two concrete bases, which will hold the 10 black granite tablets, were erected. Also recently, the bronze plaques that were part of the current war memorial in front of the Legion Hall were removed.
“They have been taken off and will be refurbished,” Cooley explained. “Then they will be placed within the new memorial garden.”
Doan pointed out that the bench near that memorial, donated by the late Don Everson, will be restored and used in the future Memorial Park as well.
The other two focal points of the park, the small American cannon and the Japanese cannon are going to be refurbished and repainted, respectively, prior to the completion of the project.
Currently, all three flag poles that will stand within the park have been paid for at a price of $2,500 each. Also, five benches have been purchased at $3,000, and only one bench remains for the public to buy in memory or in honor of someone. In addition, over 100 brick pavers have been paid for at the cost of $100 each. Doan said the Veterans Memorial Committee hopes to sell many more of those.
“We think the community has been so good to us,” Doan stated. “Of course, all donations this time of year are tax deductible so we hope people will keep that in mind.”
Any donations can be made payable and mailed to the Fennimore Memorial Fund in care of American Bank, 1055 Lincoln Ave, Fennimore, WI 53809.
Members of the Fennimore American Legion Auxiliary, the Fennimore American Legion and the City of Fennimore are supporting this project and the expansion of Memorial Park.
