By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
"I am feeling a strong sense of pride delivering this proposed agreement on behalf of the veterans and our community," said Salina Parks and Recreation Director, Jeff Hammond before the Salina-Saline County War Memorial located in Sunset Park, was approved to receive an improvement project.
On Monday, Salina Commissioners gave the ok to provide contributions for improvements to be made at the War Memorial.
Those improvements include additions and renovations of the War Memorial such as:
- Memorial benches
- Granite monuments
- Marker wall tiles
- Brick paving
- Concrete walks
- Landscaping
- Lighting infrastructure and other related site improvements.
The Salina-Saline County War Memorial Inc. proposed this improvement project to the City of Salina and requested for a 50% contribution of $167,500 to a $317,428.66 estimated cost.
The organization was formed in 1992 to recognize and remember the war dead of Saline County and all those that serve their country. As a result, monument was constructed in Sunset Park, featuring an eight-sided concrete monolith with giant bronze plaques. Paving bricks with inscribed veteran’s names outlined the walkways and was known as the “Walk of Honor."
It was then dedicated to the City of Salina in 1994 to be maintained by the Salina Parks and Recreation.
The organization then filed dissolution papers with the IRS and the not-for-profit organization disbanded.
However, it was reinstated as the original 501(c)(3) status to operate again as a non-profit organization allowing citizens to purchase inscribed bricks to honor additional veterans.
Commissioners voted 5-0, on a staff recommendation to provide a contribution of an amount not to exceed $165,732.51
The organization plans to ask the Saline County government office for a contribution, after a request from Commissioner Doug Rempp to seek support in this project.
The memorial was established to recognize and remember the names of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, who died in the line of duty from Saline County.