The plan for the Cornelius Veterans Monument, located behind Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
CorneliusNews.net

For the past year, dozens of community members have pulled together to honor hundreds of their own. The town plans a monument to honor its veterans, and could break ground as early as this May.

“It means a lot to me, very much so,” said John Washam, commander of American Legion Post 86.

John Washam

The Cornelius native served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as did his two brothers. Mr. Washam will be a special guest at the town’s Gala of Honor for the Cornelius Veterans Monument Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Havana Banquet and Ballroom, in the old Palace Theatre at 8325 Copley Drive.

In a joint effort with the Cornelius Police Department, Cornelius Town Hall, the local American Legion, and many community members, the Town of Cornelius has raised nearly 75 percent of the funds needed to build a veterans monument.

The Town committed the land for the monument – located off North Main Street behind Town Hall – and agreed to match community donations up to $50,000. It also invited members of the local American Legion Post 86 to serve on a committee planning the project. That group is researching the names of as many veterans as possible for inclusion on the monument. They already have about 850 names, and the number keeps growing, Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant said.

But the town is still around $50,000 shy of the $165,000 needed to fund the project, and it hopes the gala next week will put a big dent in the remaining cost. Already more than 100 community members have purchased gala tickets, and the Town hopes to double that amount by the event.

“The goal is to have the official groundbreaking on Memorial Day,” Mr. Grant said, “and to celebrate next Veterans Day at the completed monument.” Assuming the town can raise the money, the project should take about three months during the summer to complete, he said.

About half of the money raised through gala ticket sales will go towards the monument, and the other half will cover the cost of the gala, Administrative Assistant to the Cornelius Town Planning Board Jody Clark said.

“This event is very meaningful to me, having had a husband serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and two tours overseas,” Ms. Clark said. “This is a great way for the Town and community to show its continued support and appreciation by paying tribute to those who have served or are presently serving our country.”

Tickets to the black-tie optional event include cocktails, dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions with more than $7,000 worth of auction items, including gift certificates to area restaurants, NASCAR race tickets, golf memberships, signed sports paraphernalia, a car detailing package, art and more. The live auction item will be a customized dinner for 10 prepared by celebrity chef Tim Schafer.

Paul Cameron, news anchor for WBTV, will be the emcee. The evening’s program features special guest speakers Allison White, an Air Force E4 Senior Airman, and Mr. Washam, as well as a video in which local veterans share their stories, made possible by MI-Connection. The communications company donated time and a camera crew to film the stories.

“It’s great to see the community involved and attached to the project,” said Rhonda Hollingsworth, town of Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Special Events Coordinator. “Everybody is taking a part of it, it’s a great partnership.”

“We’re real thankful the Town’s going to do this for us,” Mr. Washam said. “It’s good that they’re recognizing the veterans – not only the ones serving today but those who served in the past.”

WANT TO GO?
Purchase tickets online at www.cornelius.org, or purchase them at Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Please contact Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant, at 704-892-6031, with any questions about the gala.

SPONSOR A VET

Community members who are unable to attend the gala, but would still like to donate, can contribute $100 so that a veteran may attend free of charge. A “Sponsor a Vet” donation can make it possible for a member of Legion Post 86, who otherwise may not have been able to attend the gala, to participate. Click here to download the form.