The plan for the Cornelius Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza.
After a year of fundraising, the Town of Cornelius and American Legion Post 86 on Saturday will celebrate the groundbreaking for the Cornelius Veterans Monument at Rotary Plaza.
The groundbreaking is planned in conjunction with the town’s annual Memorial Day celebration, which begins at 11 a.m. at the monument site, on N.C. 115 behind Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.
The town last year committed the land for the monument 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.
As of this week, the town has raised 92 percent of the $165,000 needed for the project, which should be completed by the fall, according to Cornelius Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant. Community members, town leaders and staff, business owners, police and fire fighters joined together in the fundraising efforts, which included two poker runs, a gala, charity softball game, and more. And in April, the effort got a significant boost when three area Rotaries joined together and donated $15,000, pushing the total raised above 90 percent of the goal.
The town holds an annual Memorial Day program honoring veterans as well as the men and women currently serving in the Armed Forces, and the monument will be a permanent way to do just that. already the American Legion has collected nearly 1000 names for the monument, Commander John Washam said.
The ceremony Saturday will include a welcome from Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte, posting of the colors by American Legion Post 86 and the JROTC members from Hough and Hopewell high schools, remarks from keynote speaker Lt. General Thomas Waskow, a 21-gun salute by American Legion Post 86 and music from the Cornelius Interfaith Chorus, including singers from Mt. Zion United Methodist, Cornelius First Baptist and Bethel Presbyterian churches.
Click here to view a program for the event. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be moved inside to the community room of Town Hall.
