Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Grace Kirchner A memorial honoring Marion area veterans has been constructed in Veteran’s Memorial Park on Mavis Road.
Photo by Grace Kirchner The names of area veterans are inscribed in black granite at Marion’s new veterans memorial.
When the local American Legion post came up with the idea of a veterans memorial, it didn’t take long for the Marion community to get behind the project and see that it was completed.
“We first got the idea about a year and a half ago,” said Bill Mengert, commander of American Legion Post 198.
Some residents wanted it to be completed soon so the surviving World War II veterans would get to see it. A volunteer committee visited memorials in Tigerton and Shiocton, and talked to folks about what it would take to put it together.
Legion members took the idea to the Marion City Council to ask if they could locate a memorial in Veteran’s Memorial Park on Mavis Road. Mayor Pat Mielke and the council quickly approved the idea.
Committee members were uncertain how they would raise the money, but the tightknit community stepped up to the task. The Lions Club provided a sizable donation, two large manufacturing businesses contributed, community members joined in, and the Legion provided some of its funds.
“We raised $100,000 of donated money. Not one dollar came from the city taxes,” said Lee Much, one of the volunteers.
The memorial planning committee included Mengert, Much, Ron Whitford, Bob Malueg, Ron Much and Casey Beyersdorf. Renee Johnson, a Marion resident with a landscaping and horticulture background, helped create the design. Olson Electric did the electrical work. The committee worked with Appleton Marble for the imported black granite plaques.
Construction started last spring. By summer, the two walls with the names of 264 veterans and a centerpiece were completed.
A U.S. flag and flags representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and POW-MIAs fly over the memorial.
The city will maintain the memorial, and the American Legion will develop a fund to pay for its maintenance.
When a dedication ceremony was held a couple of weeks ago, organizers expected maybe 50 or more people attend, but Lee Much said they just kept coming and coming. “It was awesome,” he said.
“There were over 400 people,” Mengert said.
Veteran Jim Yenchesky gave the keynote address, and the Marion High School band took part. The Lions Club furnished refreshments after the ceremony.
Much said the black granite plaques are filled, but the committee plans to add two more walls next spring, hopefully by Memorial Day.
It costs $150 to have a name added to the wall. Commemorative bricks also are available in three sizes, with prices ranging from $150 to $750.
Video copies of the dedication ceremony are available for $10.55. To purchase a video or for information, call Mengert at 715-754-2064 or Malueg at 715-754-2636.