City Council, veterans sign contract for veterans memorial at park

A veterans group that has worked for months to get approval from the city to build a war memorial at Riverfront Park finally got what it wanted. 

The Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Foundation signed a contract with the mayor and city council members during a Libby City Council meeting Monday night that will allow the veterans group to move forward with plans for a 10-feet-tall, four-feet wide monument depicting a World War II-era soldier pulling a wounded modern-day soldier to safety as he returns fire with an automatic rifle. 

The veterans memorial will be placed at the west end of the park in a circular patch of grass. Rows of bricks engraved with the names of veterans will be placed in the ground surrounding the monument. 

“Five months ago, I sat in front of you requesting land in one of your parks,” said Dennis Osborne, president of the Lincoln County Veterans Committee. “But tonight, finally, we have a path forward, and we are thankful for that.”

The City Council first heard a request by local veterans to build a memorial during the summer of 2012. Since then, the veterans have been raising money to pay for the memorial - costs are estimated at $100,000 - while battling with the city over everything from the location of the monument to insurance costs to liability during the construction phase. 

Late last year, members of the city’s Park Committee presented the veterans with a list of requirements that would have to be met before the city would approve the memorial. The requirements shocked the veterans, who have been working diligently for months to fulfill the city’s demands. 

The contract appeared to be ready for signatures two weeks ago, but the veterans held off to negotiate the terms. When the agreement was signed Monday night, both sides seemed relieved. 

“I anticipate and look forward to celebrating its completion,” City Council member Robin Benson said. “This will be here for many years for future generations to enjoy.”