Veterans break park ground to honor all those who serve

Lincoln County veterans finally got their day in the sun, and, oh, what a beautiful spring day it was.

Under clear skies, at 11:29 a.m. Monday, World War II veteran Robert Gruber and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Stephen Bandemer both placed a foot on each side of a gold-painted spade into the earth at Riverfront Park to break ground for the memorial. A formal dedication ceremony is scheduled on Veterans Day 2014.

“We are happy, happy, happy. You can print that,” said Veterans Committee Treasurer Ken Mancuso.

The ceremony marked a nine-month journey for the veterans to get approval from the city to build a $110,000 monument in the park. Their effort was not an easy one, but they persisted.

Libby City Councilwoman and Park Committee member Robin Benson represented the city.

“I think it’s fabulous,” Benson said. “I’m very happy about this. I’m well-pleased.”

Benson said she will continue to assist the veterans with grant-writing as they continue their effort to bring to life the memorial they have themed “Leave No One Behind and Never Quit Fighting.”

The Scott Lennard created bronze will feature vintage soldiers assisting another more modern-era soldier to safety as the latter returns fire.

The day brought many veterans together, among them Terry Andreessen, who served during Vietnam.

“As veterans, we are passionate about veterans and the price paid, and we are passionate about this country,” he said. “The bronze will depict World War I and World War II soldiers giving aid to a modern-war soldier so we could include all wars. The real meaning of this memorial is the names on the bricks. The names are what’s important.”

Andreessen urged the public to honor a veteran, active, living or deceased, by purchasing a brick for $100.

Contributions may be sent to LCVMF Fund, P.O. Box 1638, Libby, Mont., 59923.