Chase County Veterans Memorial to be dedicated Monday afternoon; Mount Hope Cemetery service that morning

A pair of ceremonies in Imperial Monday, Memorial Day, will honor U.S. veterans.
The long-awaited dedication of the Chase County Veterans Memorial is on schedule for 2 p.m. on the courthouse grounds.
Earlier that day, a 10:30 a.m.  program will honor U.S. veterans at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Guest speaker for the 2 p.m. dedication ceremony will be Nebraska State Senator Dan Hughes of Venango, who represents Chase County and the 44th Legislative District.
Pastor David Kahle will deliver the invocation.
Also attending the dedication will be Fred Hoppe of Columbus, the sculptor who created the bronze statue. Other honored guests have also been invited.
The memorial was established in honor of all those veterans who served overseas and have a connection to Chase County.
VFW Post #4688 Commander Bud Statz said they have placed close to 260 veteran bricks on the wall on the west side of the memorial.
Bricks will continue to be placed as they are purchased.
Individuals, families, organizations and businesses have purchased bricks so far. Some are to support an individual veteran who does not have to have a tie to Chase County. Others have been purchased to support the memorial project itself, said Jana Pribbeno of the committee.
More memorial bricks are welcome, she said.
The electronic kiosk that displays veterans’ photos, bios, service awards and overseas tours is in place at the memorial site and has nearly 1,200 veterans’ names so far. Veterans listed on the kiosk should have ties to the county.
It is suggested that attendees bring lawn chairs for the dedication.
Mt. Hope Cemetery service
A Memorial Day service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery organized by members of the VFW Post #4688 Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Kahle will give the address. He said he will focus on remembering, with special emphasis on those veterans with ties to Chase County who have died in battle.
Volunteers are being sought to help put flags on veterans’ grave sites at the cemetery Thursday beginning at 5 p.m., Statz said.

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033