The generosity of Starke County residents will ensure that the members of the Starke County Veterans War Memorial Plaza Committee have what funding is needed to successfully complete the construction of the plaza.
The county was challenged to gather $50,000 for a matching grant opportunity through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Starke County Veterans War Memorial Plaza Committee Member Kathy Norem said not only did Starke County meet that challenge, the goal was increased to $60,000 to attempt to get more funds to purchase additional items left out of the original plans due to the project’s budget. Norem said the fundraising campaign ended Tuesday, July 21 at a grand total of $65,700.
The IHCDA will give Starke County the $50,000 in matching funds and the additional money raised will be used to purchase two additional benches for placement at the plaza, and a base for the spire that will lift a bronze eagle statue over seven feet in the air.
Residents who were not able to commit a pledge toward the project still have an opportunity to donate. The committee is also looking collect funds for granite supports that would hold two historic cannons near the site as a historical feature. For more information, call Kathy Norem at 574-806-3910.
The Starke County Veterans War Memorial Plaza is in the process of being constructed on the southeast corner of the Starke County Courthouse Square. It will feature the names of fallen Starke County soldiers in wars dating back to the Civil War. It will be accessible for all to view with seating available. It is the hope of the committee to complete the project by Veteran’s Day when the dedication ceremony would take place.
