Local Memorial Vet project still unfinished
Published 10:16 am Friday, January 9, 2009
Plans are underway to explore how the Mower County Veterans Memorial project can be finished.
The memorial is located on the northwest corner of the Mower County courthouse lawn. It honors all veterans from Mower County who served in all wars.
Norman Hecimovich is a member of the Hormel Plaza committee, a separate group of people, who are exploring how a memorial to honor the Geo. A. Hormel family can be constructed. As part of those plans, volunteers are also looking into the possibility of finishing the Mower County Veterans Memorial project.
According to Hecimovich, tough economic times are making it a hardship for local veterans organizations to undertake such a project by themselves.
For instance, only last year the veterans organizations underwent a successful fund drive to collect money to purchase a new Mower County veterans transport van.
The extent of the improvements is unknown at this time. However, Hecimovich said it is likely the volunteers will seek to sell pavers — stepping stones inscribed with a veteran’s name, military service organization and dates of military service — to finance the project.
According to Hecimovich, survivors of veterans, who died and who were members of the U.S. Armed Forces routinely ask “What they could do for the loved ones who have passed away” as well as living veterans.
Purchasing an inscribed paver would be a way of creating a lasting personal memorial to the veteran.
There is space at the site for an estimated 534 pavers.
Veterans memorial efforts at Hayfield and Rochester have successfully funded similar projects.
Unveiled Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1992, the Mower County Veterans Memorial was dedicated to “Those who gave their lives so that we may live in freedom.”
William D. Fuller was chairman of the memorial committee. Greta Kraushaar (recently deceased) was vice chairman.
Jeff and Renee Anderson of Anderson Memorial designed the project.
Perhaps, most striking are the names of Mower County veterans dating back to the Civil War inscribed on a granite wall.
The idea for a memorial was first proposed in 1984.
Support for the project was universal.
By 1987 volunteers were working toward a design with the help of Jeff Anderson and sites were considered.
The northwest corner of the courthouse lawn was approved by the Mower County Board of Commissioners in May 1990, when groundbreaking was held, and the project was completed two years later.
A key element of the proposed improvement project is the extent of the improvements, which is not yet known, according to Hecimovich.
“First we want to assess the public’s interest and see how far we can go with this,” he said.
Also to be weighed is how the Veterans Memorial project will impact on the new plans for the Hormel Plaza memorial.
According to Hecimovich, the Hormel Plaza committee continues to meet regularly to discuss their project.
Hecimovich said volunteers interested in completing the Mower County Veterans Memorial are considering taking a survey to examine interest for the project.
Veterans are invited to contact their service organizations to express their opinions.
Hecimovich welcomes opinions, too. He can be reached via e-mail at nehecimo@smig.net.