Veterans memorial is long overdue

Sometimes it just takes a spark in someone to get something started. Or, a spark in a small group of people. Whatever way it moved from a dream to a firm plan, it’s great to see a concerted effort now to raise the necessary funds for an Imperial Veterans Memorial in this community.
    Having a father who was a Marine in WWII, projects such as this land close to my heart. Actually, we all should feel that way, considering what our veterans have done over many, many years to preserve the freedoms most of us take for granted.
        A committee of veterans and community members has had a dream for a long time to recognize the veterans from our community with an eye-catching memorial. That dream got a big push to get to work when the American Veterans Traveling Tribute spent several days in this community in 2015.
    Since 2015, donations have been received and the discussion has intensified to get the project off the ground. Now that a specific design has been developed and costs estimated, it’s time to get behind the effort.
    The committee recently approached the city council on a possible location for the memorial, which they are studying. Other sites may also be considered, and several fundraisers are in the works.
    The community may not be totally aware that a veterans memorial has been near the top of a community “dream” list for awhile. Most recently, in 2011, when residents gathered for several meetings to set a plan for community improvement, the veterans memorial came in as the No. 3 priority in the community, just behind more housing and a walk/bike trail.
    A lot of time and effort went into that 2011 planning meeting conducted by the Nebraska Community Foundation and others to set community goals.
    Let’s get behind what the community prioritized. A veterans memorial is long overdue.