Veterans granted memorial resolution

Libby City Council members on Monday unanimously approved a resolution that will, in principle, place the Veterans Memorial at Riverfront Park.

However, before that can happen, two things must occur: The veterans must become a legal entity, and they must have insurance — both items Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Committee Secretary Brent Teske is in the process of securing.

Teske told City Council members he is awaiting the return of paperwork from Helena for incorporation of the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Foundation, and he has been in consultation with local insurance agent Kevin Peck about securing both damage and liability insurance for the monument.

City Councilwoman Robin Benson, who sits on the Park Committee, applauded Teske’s resolve.

“I just want to say how appreciative and how we recognize all the work you have done, Brent, to accomplish these things, to make this happen,” Benson said.

In response, Teske reiterated, as he has several times, how important it is to move the process forward so those who may contribute may see progress.

And, while Libby City Council members are not scheduled to have a second meeting in December, the board is unanimous in its eagerness to aid in that process to call a special meeting upon the group’s reception of legal entity status.

“We can call a special meeting if we need one,” Mayor Doug Roll said. “It’ll be the only thing on the agenda, but we can do that.”

The unanimous vote before the full City Council comes after months of veterans’ plans and more recent contentious meetings between the veterans and the Park Committee as to the placement of the monument at the renovated city park.

In the end, the veterans agreed to, with the full support of the Park Committee, to Site A on the southwest corner of the park. 

The veterans seek to erect a bronze statue of a World War II-Korean War-era soldier pulling a more modern-equipped soldier to safety. The veterans have commissioned local sculptor Scott Lennard to construct the bronze, which they hope to dedicate Veterans Day 2014.

Veterans are selling individual commemorative walkway bricks that will include three lines that will include a service member’s name and rank, branch of service and time of service.

Brick forms are available at both the Libby and Troy Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and at the Libby American Legion. Cost of each brick is $100.