Construction preparation starts at veterans memorial
The Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial site looks different, as work on the memorial began.
During a committee meeting April 15, Shea Rouleau, Fisher River Excavating, reported he and Dave Staudacher, local veteran, cut trees down at the site earlier in the day.
“And then, Saturday morning, I’ll be there with the dozer,” said Rouleau.
He says he is going to strip the topsoil and hopefully get the memorial site prepped to grade height, with plans to do the parking lot area at the later date.
“That’s my goal, I guess,” said Rouleau.
Rouleau noted the whole process is running on donations of time and equipment, so far.
He also said, once the topsoil is removed, he’d like to find the exact center for the memorial site.
“Of course, I’m going to put the ditch in, too, this time,” said Rouleau. “So, we can start draining that out and get it usable there.”
Jim Mataczynski, committee chairperson, said they could also get started on the driveway for the memorial. Rouleau says they will need a culvert and gravel to do that, and added that the future location of the driveway is already marked on the blacktop.
Vern Capek, committee member, said he would work at lining up the culvert for the driveway.
Rouleau also asked if a universal blueprint will be drawn up for the memorial, to make sure all the contractors involved with the project are on the same page. Mataczynski said he would check with Dave Conrad, committee vice-chair, who has taken the lead on that portion of the project, to see if he has an official plan in the works.
One committee member also suggested the memorial feature a sign showing there was an American Legion post in Holcombe, with basic information about the start and end date.
“I’m sure we can find a place to put it,” said Matczynski.
Mataczynski also encouraged everyone interested in the memorial to attend their towns’ annual meetings, to support that township donating a flag pole to the memorial, with the hope that each township in the Lake Holcombe School District will donate one.
“That’s going to really set that place off, if we get it done,” said Mataczynski of the flag poles planned for the memorial.
There is also a clothing fundraiser taking place through JM Screen Printing, with a variety of veteran-themed products available. A portion of each sale will go toward the memorial efforts. Those interested in seeing the products offered, can visit https://holcombeareaveterans. itemorder.com/sale.
