Veterans get $2,000 grant for their park memorial
<p><span>City Councilwoman Robin Benson presents an oversized check to Veterans Committee Treasurer Ken Mancuso as committee members, from left, Brent Teske, Terry Andreessen and Larry Pitcher look on. Center back is Terry Crooks, who administers the local grant pro</span>gram. </p><div> </div>
The Lincoln County Veterans Foundation Committee moved a little closer toward its fundraising goal Wednesday during a brief presentation at Riverfront Park.
The group, which consists of veterans across Lincoln County, received a $2,000 grant Wednesday from the Roundup for Safety program of Flathead Electric Co-op. The funds are the result of generous co-op customers who every month round up their electric bill payments to the nearest dollar. The utility, through local representative Terry Crooks, distributes the money to worthwhile causes.
This grant request benefiting veterans was written by Libby City Councilwoman and Park Committeewoman Robin Benson.
“They’re great,” Benson said. “I’m happy to do it.”
In their quest to recognize fellow veterans and bring a Scott Lennard-crafted bronze to Riverfront Park, the committee has raised about $97,000. Veterans are accepting donations for their project, and by placing commemorative bricks, which they are selling for $100. These bricks with veterans names, rank and service record will encircle the bronze and create a walkway toward the monument.
To date, the group has sold about 430 bricks toward its goal of bringing a bronze statue to their corner of Riverfront Park. Committee members Wednesday said the bronze is at the foundry and will be back in Libby on Nov. 5. While there will be a ceremony this Veterans Day, the group has plans to formally dedicate the statue on Veterans Day 2014.
“We thank all those folks who have helped make this veterans memorial a reality,” Terry Andreessen wrote in a statement.
To contribute, send donations to Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 1638, Libby, Mont. 59923.