Veterans Memorial meeting attendees discuss location

    Representatives of the Veterans Memorial Committee held a meeting for the public and city/county officials Friday evening to discuss the results of surveys handed out at their fair booth.
    More questions than answers remain an obstacle for the memorial project to move forward.
    Bud Statz, VFW Post 4688 quartermaster, and Bob Thomas, committee member, gave a summary of progress on the memorial followed by a report of survey results concerning its location.
    Four possible locations were listed on the survey.
    The Chase County Courthouse received 49 votes, the library had the most votes at 93, the county building on 5th Street had three votes and the Imperial Airport didn’t receive any votes.
    After revealing the survey results, a lively discussion ensued among the two dozen or so attendees.
    Topics including insurance requirements, other possible locations, property donation as a solution and ideas for solutions to existing problems previously discussed were addressed.
    Still a concern were buzzard droppings and the elements that could damage the bronze statue, as well as other ongoing concerns.
    Eric Gonzalez, VFW Junior Vice Commander, shared his viewpoint on maintenance considerations for longevity and viable options on location in respect to their effect on the city, county, veterans and tourists.
    Thomas said they can’t move forward until they settle on a location for the memorial.
    “We want the public to know that we are still working on the memorial,” said Thomas.
    He said the statue could be finished by Veterans Day.
    A decision was made to put together a presentation of pros and cons for different options and to approach the city council again after the first of the year, once elections are complete and elected officials are in place.
    In the meantime, they will continue selling bricks and raising money for the memorial.
    Thomas said there have been 101 bricks sold so far.
    Six benches with emblems representing the six branches of military are planned for placement around the memorial area.
    Businesses or individuals may donate a bench, on which their name will also be incorporated into the design, at a cost of $5,000.
    Adams Bank & Trust and Pinnacle Bank have donated two of the six benches.
    If anyone has further questions, they can contact Statz at
308-882-1778 or Thomas at 308-882-8168.