Veterans memorial group is trying out some new things

By Ginna Young

There was a lot to discuss at the most recent Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial Planning Committee meeting March 21, including welcoming a new IT person. Jim Matazczynski, committee chairman, had his personal Facebook account hacked and by doing so, the scammers were able to gain access to the memorial’s page, completely taking it over.

“It was a nightmare,” said Mataczynski. A new page was created, but to make sure everything was set up correctly, IT help was needed. However, that help came with a $300 price tag from one contact and a $600 cost from another.

Finally, James Rank, who lives in Bloomer, but is originally from Holcombe, offered to get everything back on track and did so in just 15 minutes.

“We were back up and running,” said Matazcynski. Rank also agreed to come onboard, at no charge, as the memorial’s IT manager, to keep the website updated correctly and to offer any social media help that’s needed.

“It’s a cool thing,” said Mataczynski.

Unfortunately, as they welcome someone new, the memorial group also bid farewell to vice chair Dave Conrad, who has been with the committee since its inception, as he stepped down from the position. Treasurer Maryann VanTreese also decided to step down from her charge of keeping track of the finances.

David Staudacher agreed to fill the vice chair position until such time as a new member volunteers, while the group will need to appoint a new treasurer.

All hands will be needed, as the memorial moves forward, as decisions are all part of the progress. For example, Paul Geincke reported that wall stone for the sitting wall that was decided on at the last meeting, is now unavailable. Geincke recommended using split fieldstone instead.

“Anything else is twice the cost,” said Matacyznski. “It looks good, it’s nice.”

When building something, most contractors go by the square foot, but Mataczynski needs more information than that, to get the best he can for the memorial’s money.

“I’m old school about that,” said Mataczynski.

He pinned down those involved and got the measurements in yards, so they can figure in materials and labor, for a firm cost.

By doing that, Haas Sons said they would give the memorial cement at their cost, with about 100 yards, at $40/yard.

“It’s going to be somewhere between a $3,000-$4,000 donation,” said Mataczynski. “We were pretty happy to find that out.”

As part of his mission, Mataczysnki feels he needs to find the materials for the memorial cheaper, in order to make the construction a reality. Going off the mason’s list and the amount of Styrofoam needed, Mataczynski submitted a supply donation request to Lampert Lumber in Ladysmith, who promised to help out in some way with a discount.

While waiting for word on that, Mataczynski is hoping for another $3,000-$4,000 off the building cost.

Lately, the committee has spent a lot of money for progress on the memorial, so Mataczynski gave members a breakdown of where the funds have been spent.

“We’re not doing this to save the money, we’re doing this to build the memorial,” said Mataczynski.

That doesn’t mean the group can’t stop beating the bushes for donations and ways to raise enough to complete the memorial.

“The money will keep coming,” said Mataczynski. One way to get some funds, is a big event in the summer, but, after two years of hosting a motorcycle ride, the group has decided it will not take place this year. Instead, they will replace it with a UTV ride, headed by Ken Malhalko and Bill Haase.

The memorial will contact the Cornell and Indianhead clubs to recruit more participation in the ride, and advice on how to run it. Even though they’re sad to see the motorcycle ride discontinued, it’s something the memorial group knows is the right thing at this time.

“We don’t have the manpower or the support for it,” said Mataczynski.

The UTV ride is being planned for the middle of August, before Labor Day, with more information to follow.

That brings up that more involvement is needed by the members who are not officers, to help take the stress off the main people who seem to do it all. If everyone could take one task and do it, that would help out immensely, as those willing to commit to something are few in number.

“It’s like every other group,” said Mataczynski.

As a reminder, legacy stones are still available, honoring those who have served, when purchased by anyone from the public. The stones can fit as many names as space allows.

“We have 56 of them being inscribed, as we speak,” said Mataczynski. “We’re already starting a new order.”