Monroe, American Legion kicking off veterans memorial construction

The city of Monroe and the American Legion Arthur Kincaid Post 58 invite the community to join a celebration for the new Veterans Memorial project at Lake Tye Park beginning construction.

The ground-breaking ceremony takes place 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at Lake Tye Park. The Veterans Memorial project is a collaborative effort between the Legion and Sultan resident Sam Thomas, who is tackling the memorial as his Eagle Scout project.

The Monroe Historical Society and Park Place Middle School teachers Dottie Simoni and Tonia Boyle also played a part in the project, recently collaborating on a large-scale research project to shed light on Monroe's forgotten World War II monument at the north end of Memorial Field.-á

Simoni and Boyle tasked their eighth-grade humanities students with learning about the lives of soldiers from Monroe who were killed in WWII. The project culminated in an assembly last June, featuring a panel that included several local veterans.-á

In conjunction with the project, the Legion decided it wanted to create a new, all-inclusive veterans memorial. Legion members began consulting with the Monroe Parks Department, the two groups agreeing the southeast area of Lake Tye Park would make a suitable, more prominent location for the memorial. They broadened its message to recognizing and honoring all veterans, rather than just those that died in WWII.-á

American Legion members and the Monroe Historical Society helped raise funds for the project.

"The city of Monroe is honored that this memorial will honor the servicemen and women, who protected our freedom and interests at home and abroad,GÇ¥ said Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas in a news release. "It will serve as a reminder as we go about our daily lives, we do so because of the sacrifice that servicemen and women have made, are making, and will make. Our community is grateful for your service and your sacrifice. Our community will keep you and your families in our hearts and our prayers.GÇ¥

The memorial will feature a 60-inch high concrete pad with an honorary plaque, along with a 30-foot high, solar-powered lighted flagpole, with American and POW-MIA flags.

All are welcome to attend the ground-breaking ceremony.

The American Legion is still fundraising to support the project. To make a donation, contact Post 58 Commander Larry "WoodyGÇ¥ Woods at 360-793-1363. The Legion is a 501(C)3 nonprofit. For more information on the ground-breaking event, visit www.facebook.com/MayorThomas360/?fref=ts.