New Statue to be Added to Howard County Veterans Memorial
Article by Mike Fletcher of the Kokomo Tribune
Donations are being accepted to complete the project at Darrough Chapel (see below for details on how to donate)
A family statue monument will soon be among the many tributes to veterans at the Howard County Veterans Memorial at Darrough Chapel Park.
Jerry Paul, president of the Howard County Veterans Memorial Corp., said the monument will feature a bronze sculpture of several family members reaching out to a service member.
“I want you to feel that family,” he said of his design. “I want you to feel that anguish. I want it to be as real as possible.”
The veterans’ memorial, located at 600 S. Goyer Road, features the names of men and women from Howard County who died in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam as well as the war on terrorism.
Well-known sculptor, Benjamin Victor of California, is expected to begin sculpting the new statue this week.
The HCVC raised $100,000 through area veterans’ organizations, fundraisers and donations for the landscaping and foundation for the monument, but more is needed to complete the final phase, which he estimated at $128,000.
History of the Howard County Veterans Memorial
In 1997, Vietnam Veteran Roger Roe had a dream of having a memorial dedicated to all Howard County veterans. His dream became a reality in 1998 with the help of his friends from UAW Local 292. In partnership with local government and business leaders the Howard County Veterans Memorial Corporation was formed in 1999.
Drawing the Kokomo Parks Department into the endeavor, Darrough Chapel Park was chosen as the site for the new monument. Funds for the memorial were generated by sending out flyers to the community and selling T-shirts, jackets and bricks; the memorial was completed Sept. 17, 2000.
On May 28, 2007, the HCVMC board of directors dedicated a new addition to the memorial in honor of the brave young men from Howard County who lost their lives helping to fight the war on terrorism .
Phase III of the memorial, Allegiance Rock, was dedicated May 26, 2008. The rock and new walkway called POW/MIA walk was created by graphic designer Chad McCarter.
Donations can be made by check or money order to the Howard County Veteran’s Memorial, P.O. Box 3037, Kokomo, IN. 46904-3037.
For more information about the Howard County Veterans Memorial Corp. log on to www.hcvm.com
Article by Mike Fletcher of the Kokomo Tribune
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