NE Montana Veterans Memorial: An Update

During this holiday season, the Board of Directors of the Northeast Montana Veterans Fund, Inc. extends our appreciation to everyone who has supported the Memorial. We are coming closer to our goal, thanks to the combined efforts of our patron donors, local businesses, in-kind professional assistance, all VFW/American Legions & Auxiliaries, and generous contributions through raffles and fundraisers. It is a privilege to work on a project that honors the courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country of NE Montana Veterans.

With help from so many over the past four years, the goal to build a world-class Veterans Memorial at Fort Peck is now in the final stages of engineering. We hope to negotiate plans for contractor bids this winter and break ground in Fort Peck, as soon as the frost is out this spring.

The Memorial will be built with private contributions from Northeast Montana citizens, businesses and organizations, and we are confident that we have most of the money necessary to complete Phase #1. This currently includes the Walls of Honor, all preliminary surveys, soil tests, design engineering, construction plans, the main monument, an entry sign, foundations for the flag parks, flatwork-retaining walls-walkways-vigil foundations, initial electrical-lighting, and basic landscaping.

Completely finished, the Memorial will also have appropriate KIA/MIA/POW recognitions, sculptures and busts, artwork, murals, static displays and seating, which will have costs approaching one million dollars. We have successfully raised over $500,000, or approximately half what we are eventually going to need.

We are proud to assure you that there are few administrative expenses deducted from any contributions and that the Board of Directors is dedicated to devoting all donations to the Memorial. We have hired no employees and paid no salaries.

We would welcome year-end giving to this project and we are a 501C19 non-profit qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions. Donations to worthy causes during the holidays are a part of the season. Helping to build this Memorial can add to the quality of the life of your family. Freedom is a precious gift.

The Walls of Honor remain a central feature of the park and will be self-funded by the sale of exquisitely etched black granite tiles, currently available for your Holiday giving considerations. The Wall, like the Memorial, is for all veterans, all branches of the service, including National Guards and Reserves.

Our goal is to ensure that no Northeast Montana veteran is left off the Wall of Honor. Cost of the tiles is $225 until Memorial Day 2015. Up to that time, we will be able to group families and friends together on the Walls. After that, we expect the cost of the tiles to go up and it will not be possible to group names. For additional information on the tiles visit: http://www.VeteransMT.org.

Here is an opportunity to give a present with a future, take a qualified non-profit tax deduction, permanently honor your family and friends by recognizing a veteran’s legacy and help us finish this park.

Phase #1 will establish the park for immediate viewing and enjoyment. For the remaining phases, we have plans to raise more donations with targeted grant applications and corporate requests. Tile sales are critically important at this time to help us finish the project right.

Based on current engineering estimates, we expect costs for Phase #1 to be higher than original estimates. The Board decided to capture savings on the completed Memorial by doing all basic infrastructure work during the initial construction. This includes landscaping, irrigation, electrical and foundations. This only seems to be good business. We have hired a landscaping architect who has experience with other Memorials to help finalize site plans. We should have everything in place to start awarding work sometime after the first of the year.

It is our hope that in this season of giving, you will consider a gift. Rest assured any gifts or tiles purchased for this NE Montana Veterans Memorial Park will make a huge difference. Contact any of our Board members for additional information or specific bequest desires.

Steve Page and Tom Markle,

Co-Chairs

Mike Hughes, Keeper of the Tiles