American Legion Post 90 has officially kicked off fundraising efforts for a veterans monument to be built at City Park.
Post Commander Bill Harris said the first goal is to raise $24,000 by the end of January. If the goal is met, work can begin on the cutting of the granite.
Harris said the post decided it wanted to do something big and special to celebrate turning 100. The national American Legion turned 100 this year, and Columbia’s Post 90 began in 1920. The goal is to have the monument unveiled and dedicated on July 4, 2020.
“This is to honor everyone who served honorably in the military. There are memorials everywhere but not many monuments to the veterans who served,” Harris said. “We want to honor all our veterans. If there weren’t replacements I would still be fighting.”
Not only that but whether in war or peace time soldiers are needed abroad and on the home front. While the soldiers may not have “seen” any action, the soldiers still stepped up to the plate to protect the country and should therefore be honored, he said.
The Columbia Board of Aldermen already approved the location in the park, and Dungan Engineering is helping with the site preparation to make sure it is designed and set up correctly.
The biggest fundraiser the post is doing is selling brick pavers that will go around the monument.
The pavers will be engraved with a veteran’s name, rank, service and possibly the ship’s name if in the Navy. The pavers are $100 a piece. There is room for 4,000 pavers, and the Legion is hoping to sell at least 500 of them, which would generate $50,000.
If you are interested in purchasing a paver you may call (601) 441-1638.
