thedrifter
05-14-08, 07:08 AM
Vietnam memorial construction should begin soon
May 13, 2008 - 3:49PM
HEATHER GALE
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one step closer to reality.
Memorial organizers have chosen a contractor for the memorial and construction should begin within 30 days on its planned site within Lejeune Garden Park near memorials to those who died in Beirut and on 9/11.
"We still have to get our base real estate license and two amendments to our permits," Lee Walker, one of the founders of the group, said. "But we have enough money for the first phase of the project and we will start soon."
PRO Construction of Jacksonville will do the work on the first phase. Larry Harkey, president of the company, said they are very excited to be involved in the project.
"We all feel privileged to be here," he said. "As soon as we have all the paperwork, we will begin the work."
Architect John Sinnett, who has worked on the project pro-bono for the past eight years, said he is glad to see the project in motion.
"This place is very important to the people that serve and to the young Marines. (The entire Lejeune Garden Park) is a sanctuary for them." he said.
The first phase of the project consists of the memorial itself, the glass, granite and fountain, as well as a parking lot for about 65 cars and a walkway through the woods, Sinnett said.
The group has raised about $1.3 million of the project's cost.
"All of the five phases will cost us around $5 million and will hopefully be completed by May of 2009," he said. "However, the project will look complete at the end of phase one so that people can come and visit. Each phase after the first will just be adding on to the project."
Renee Hawthorne, a member of the memorial group's executive steering committee, said she hopes the memorial will attract more people to the area.
"We really hope the project brings in tourism and has the opportunity to educate people," she said. "People know Vietnam, people know Beirut and 9/11, but it will be good to have it all together in one place."
Hawthorne also said that even though the project has been complex, tedious and time consuming, it has been well worth it.
"All of these projects have been a good partnership for the base, county and city," she said. "They have built a strong working relationship and can cooperatively work towards one goal."
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial will honor those who were killed in the Vietnam War and recognize the more than 2 million who served in Vietnam, as well as the prisoners of war, those missing in action and the more than 300,000 wounded there. It will be dedicated to all branches of the military.
Once completed, the memorial will have a gazebo-like structure surrounded by gardens and lighted glass panels etched with the names of more than 58,000 service members.
In order to raise money for the project, Kenji Horn, assistant fundraising chairman, said he is planning another motorcycle run.
"The run is our biggest fundraiser of the year," he said. "Plans are being finalized for this year's event. The tentative date is September 27."
For more information about the motorcycle run, visit www.geocities.com/vietvetmemorial/RUN. For more information about the project itself, or to donate, visit http://www.geocities.com/vietvetmemorial/RUN.
Contact city and county government reporter Heather Gale at hgale@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8464.
Ellie
May 13, 2008 - 3:49PM
HEATHER GALE
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one step closer to reality.
Memorial organizers have chosen a contractor for the memorial and construction should begin within 30 days on its planned site within Lejeune Garden Park near memorials to those who died in Beirut and on 9/11.
"We still have to get our base real estate license and two amendments to our permits," Lee Walker, one of the founders of the group, said. "But we have enough money for the first phase of the project and we will start soon."
PRO Construction of Jacksonville will do the work on the first phase. Larry Harkey, president of the company, said they are very excited to be involved in the project.
"We all feel privileged to be here," he said. "As soon as we have all the paperwork, we will begin the work."
Architect John Sinnett, who has worked on the project pro-bono for the past eight years, said he is glad to see the project in motion.
"This place is very important to the people that serve and to the young Marines. (The entire Lejeune Garden Park) is a sanctuary for them." he said.
The first phase of the project consists of the memorial itself, the glass, granite and fountain, as well as a parking lot for about 65 cars and a walkway through the woods, Sinnett said.
The group has raised about $1.3 million of the project's cost.
"All of the five phases will cost us around $5 million and will hopefully be completed by May of 2009," he said. "However, the project will look complete at the end of phase one so that people can come and visit. Each phase after the first will just be adding on to the project."
Renee Hawthorne, a member of the memorial group's executive steering committee, said she hopes the memorial will attract more people to the area.
"We really hope the project brings in tourism and has the opportunity to educate people," she said. "People know Vietnam, people know Beirut and 9/11, but it will be good to have it all together in one place."
Hawthorne also said that even though the project has been complex, tedious and time consuming, it has been well worth it.
"All of these projects have been a good partnership for the base, county and city," she said. "They have built a strong working relationship and can cooperatively work towards one goal."
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial will honor those who were killed in the Vietnam War and recognize the more than 2 million who served in Vietnam, as well as the prisoners of war, those missing in action and the more than 300,000 wounded there. It will be dedicated to all branches of the military.
Once completed, the memorial will have a gazebo-like structure surrounded by gardens and lighted glass panels etched with the names of more than 58,000 service members.
In order to raise money for the project, Kenji Horn, assistant fundraising chairman, said he is planning another motorcycle run.
"The run is our biggest fundraiser of the year," he said. "Plans are being finalized for this year's event. The tentative date is September 27."
For more information about the motorcycle run, visit www.geocities.com/vietvetmemorial/RUN. For more information about the project itself, or to donate, visit http://www.geocities.com/vietvetmemorial/RUN.
Contact city and county government reporter Heather Gale at hgale@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8464.
Ellie