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Veterans Memorial ahead of schedule

Surge of donated services helps project

By John Faucher


The Veterans Memorial project moved up six months, to a year ahead of schedule thanks to a recent influx of donated services and materials.

Shaney’s Group Inc, of New London approached Foundation members late this spring and offered to remove existing pavers and complete groundwork and install footings for the future memorial.

A number of other contractors also donated services and assisted with the project over the past two weeks. BG Durite, MCC, Ben Casey, Sager Services, Mathewson Monuments, Unilock Pavers, the city of New London and New London Utilities all devoted time to the project.

“This all came up rather quickly,” said Jim Jaeger, a spokesperson for the Veterans Memorial Foundation. “The timing was right. Originally we figured we’d be putting in the base for the memorial maybe next year. Because of some major donations like this we’re able to accelerate this program anywhere from six months to a year.”

The majority of the work and materials used were donated.

“You just have to thank these contractors and their employees,” said Jaeger.

He also said monetary donations have continued at a good pace.

“So far we have about $88,000 out of our overall goal of $250,000,” said Jaeger.

The Veterans Memorial Foundation also has numerous fundraising events planned for the remainder of the year.

Terry Hilbert of New London Lanes arranged a charity golf outing for the group on July 16. So far, 150 tee times were set up and there were only seven openings left.

On Aug. 12, the Foundation will hold its 21-gun salute raffle at the VFW at 6 p.m. Jaeger said that approximately 70 percent of the tickets were already sold.

It will also have members set up at the Fall Family Festival on Sept. 10.

The Foundation will be holding a pig roast at Bean City Ballroom and Bar on Oct. 1.

“We hope to serve about 500 people that day,” said Jaeger.

The group is also planning a bowling tournament at New London Lanes on Oct. 22.

Jaeger said that recent fundraising events such as the UW-Band concert have worked out well for the group.

“We were also able to give a few New London High School students scholarships this year out of proceeds from the concert,” said Jaeger.

He urged any veterans or family members of veterans that would like their loved ones names placed on the wall of honor should make arrangements now.

“We need to get those names in and prepared to get on the wall,” said Jaeger. “The more we can get done at the shop before those walls get mounted the better.”

For more information, contact Jim Jaeger at 920-460-1403 or Jim Massonet at 920-983-3060.

 

Correction: In an earlier version of this article, Unilock Pavers was misidentified as Interlock Brick.

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