Flag poles ordered and on the way for veterans memorial

By Julia Wolf

Flag poles for the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial are ordered and on their way, as reported during a meeting Aug. 19.

“We needed to get it done before Aug. 9, and the reason for that, was that they were getting a 15 percent increase on their price,” said Jim Mataczynski, committee chairperson.

He says the officers decided to get it done before the price increase, since that increase over nine poles would be a good chunk of change.

“Jim (Mataczynski) did do his due diligence,” said Dave Conrad, vice chair of the committee.

They got multiple bids and the company they chose was significantly cheaper than other options, when comparing the same height and material of poles.

The service flags will be on a 35-foot pole, while the United States flag will be on a 40-foot pole. The United States flag will be 8x12 feet and the other flags will be 5x8 feet.

“I guess them being that much smaller will make that one stand out more,” said Ron Arts, committee member.

Committee member Walt Johnson suggested the group get polyester flags, instead of nylon, because they last longer.

Mataczynski paid for half the cost of the poles, with the remainder due when the poles arrive.

“So, they’re coming,” said Mataczynski, though he says he did not hear an estimated arrival date yet.

The group has multiple storage options available for the poles, once they arrive, if the site is not ready for the poles at that time.

Mataczynski also noted they still need to fundraise for the cost of the U.S. flag pole.

“All the other poles, the money was donated for by townships and the (Lake Holcombe) Lions Club,” said Mataczynski. “But the American flag pole, nobody can own.”

Mataczynski says they are thinking about combining that need with a fundraiser in the early stages of planning, set for Sunday, Oct. 24, at Paradise Shores 4.

Jennifer Steen, committee member, says there will be a patriotic-themed musical performance for the fundraiser. There will also be raffles during the event. Steen says they may also get a speaker and encouraged committee members to keep thinking on suggestions for speakers, as well as fundraising ideas to hold throughout the event.

Members also reported the golf outing fundraiser was a success, raising just over $6,000 for the memorial project.

“It was a really good first year,” said Steen, golf outing coordinator, adding she hopes to see the event, and the profits, grow each year.

Mataczynski also asked for thoughts on the possibility of collecting aluminum cans at the memorial site, as a way to help fundraise and keep the group’s name out there.

“We need some kind of cage,” said Mataczynski, if the others thought the collection is a good idea.

Steen said she thinks they should have a few different sites where people can donate their cans.

“Maybe some of the campgrounds would be in on that,” said Steen.

Conrad also asked if the group thought he should move forward with ordering legacy stones, before prices go up on those, too.

“I have three bids,” said Conrad.

Members thought it was a good idea to order the stones, if the bids are still honored. If the prices bid are no longer honored, Conrad said he would re-ask for bids.

MaryAnn Vantreese, group member, suggested more people might want legacy stones, if they were able to see examples of what other local people are putting on their stones, provided the families are OK with displaying the stones.

“At the event on Oct. 24, it’d be good to have a few of those stones there,” agreed Ron Arts, committee member.

Mataczynski also talked about the proposed meditation garden for the memorial site. He says he would like to see all churches in the Lake Holcombe School District team up to do the garden.

“You can make it as labor intensive as you want, or not,” said Mataczynski.

He says he has talked to the pastor and administrators at the Holcombe United Methodist Church about having the church take on the meditation garden.

“They were very responsive to it,” said Mataczynski, adding that the group began throwing around ideas for the space.

For the site update, Mark Erickson, engineer, is working with the DNR to come up with a stable plan. Once the DNR is happy with the plan, it will go to Tony Roder, county zoning officer, for approval.

“It’s not a done deal yet, but it’s a lot closer than it was,” said Mataczynski.

Arts asked how soon a security light is planned for the site. Mataczynski said he would bring it up to the township.

“Is there a chance we can temporarily put up the flag pole that we used to have up?” asked Steen.

Mataczynski said they could do that and move the sign, too.