About 100 people made their way to the Starke County Courthouse Square Monday afternoon to witness history.
In an event that took several months to develop and plan, the ground was broken to welcome a new Starke County Veterans War Memorial on the southeast corner of the courthouse square.
The updated monument would feature the names of Starke County veterans killed in wars etched in a black granite wall infused within a longer limestone wall, or another approved permanent fixture. Seating would be available for a time of reflection. A black granite statute will bestow the name of Frank Ono, the county’s Medal of Honor recipient. The two cannons on the lawn of the Starke County Courthouse would be positioned just behind the wall along with the American flag and the five flags of the Armed Forces waving proudly.
Starke County Commission President Charlie Chesak read a proclamation officially dedicating that portion of land to be the home of the memorial. Knox City Council President and Starke County Military Historian Jeff V. Berg gave an empowered speech of the significance of remembering those who gave their lives for this country who proudly hailed from Starke County. Mark Smith emceed the event with the invocation by Knox VFW Post #748 Chaplain Charles Johnson.
Indiana VFW State Commander David Capshaw also spoke along with State Representative Jim Pressel who gave the Starke County Veterans War Memorial committee members a special gift toward the project.
“I brought along with me a flag flown over the Statehouse signed by the governor,” stated Pressel. “Indiana adopted policy signed just this year to allow for a Remembrance Flag. When the memorial is ready plan a space for it!”
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski also said a few words and had a presentation for the committee.
Walorski commented, “This is a United States flag that I had flown over the U.S. Capitol for the Starke Memorial VFW Post #748. I want to present this to you and I want to present this certificate of authenticity to you. May God continue to bless Starke County and may God continue to bless these United States of America!”
Special recognition was given to many of the donors toward the project including the Knox VFW Post #748 for a donation of $57,000, Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin who donate $10,000, $10,000 from Union donors, $28,500 from the James Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund, and $28,500 from the Starke County Community Foundation. Major contributors include Starke County Sheriff’s Posse; Kathy Carrier; La Porte, Starke and Pulaski Building Trades, IBEW Local 531, Sheet Metal Workers Local 20; Iron Workers Local #292; LiUNA Local 81; NECA IBEW LU 531-N; United Steel Workers local 9551; S.O.A.R. Chapter 31-1; United Steel Workers Local #6787; United Steel Workers Local 1010.
Starke County Commissioner and Committee Member Kathy Norem spoke about the opportunity to obtain matching funds from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority in a crowdfunding campaign.
“Our campaign started Friday and we have 60 days to raise $50,000. If we are successful in raising that $50,000, they will match that with another $50,000 and that will complete the monies we need to finish this project,” said Norem.
A link to donate can be found here.
The entire program will be aired this Sunday, May 31, at noon during the Kankakee Valley Viewpoints program on K99.3 WKVI.
Jeff V. Berg’s speech can be found below.
The proclamation can be found below.
