Veterans Memorial fundraiser kicks off

Jan. 30--The fundraiser to benefit the construction of the recently approved, local Veterans Memorial Park is officially under way.

The purchase of commemorative 8" x 8" brick pavers--engraved in recognition of donors' family members, friends, and co-workers who have served in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy--will benefit the construction of the park, which will honor Grayson County's veterans.

Pavers will cost approximately $250 per paver, and one copy of a paver may be purchased for an additional $50. The paver donations are tax deductible, and order forms will be available at Leitchfield City Hall, the Centre on Main, American Legion Post 81, and various other businesses throughout Grayson County.

The Veterans Memorial Park, spearheaded by Steve Meredith and to be located within Leitchfield'sJames D. Beville City Park, will feature a 100-feet-tall lighted flagpole displaying the American flag as its focal point visible from the Western Kentucky Parkway.

In addition, in a semi-circle surrounding the American flag, there will be six additional 20-feet-tall flag poles displaying a flag for each of the five branches of the armed service, as well as a flag honoring and commemorating prisoners of war (POW) and those missing in action (MIA).

The commemorative brick pavers will be incorporated into the Veterans Memorial Park plaza.

"We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid," said Leitchfield Mayor William Thomason. "This memorial will be [not] 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 an example to our community of what can be accomplished when people are willing to work together for a common goal."

The goal for the completion and dedication of Veterans Memorial Park is currently set for Veterans Day (Nov. 11, 2015). The pavers will be on sale until Memorial Day (May 25) in order to complete the project within this time frame.

Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015, or on Twitter @lasley90.

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