Site plan approved for Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial

By Julia Wolf

The site plan for the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial was approved by the planning committee members, Oct. 21.

The approval came after the committee suggested changes to the plan at a prior meeting, such as the location of various elements of the memorial, ensuring the width of the walkways are sufficient for accessibility and confirming the flag poles are far enough apart.

Jim Mataczynski, committee chairperson, says engineer Mark Erickson was present at the most recent Lake Holcombe Town Board meeting to go through the plan in detail.

Erickson confirmed at that meeting that there is more than enough ADA parking, and they will be able to navigate the parking lot and site. He also explained the meditation garden is farther to the south than originally planned.

“It’s a little bit further away from traffic, from some of the action,” said Erickson of the meditation garden location.

He also pointed out gravel overflow parking for buses or other vehicles on the south side of the memorial.

“Going off of what our recommendations were, this is what he drew up,” said Mataczynski of copies of the plan hanging on the wall.

The flood plain is no longer a concern, as Dave Conrad, vice-chairperson of the planning committee, reported the engineer put together a plan to satisfy the county and DNR, which incorporates a water management plan and includes a pond at the south end of the site. Depending on soil sample results, the pond could be wet or dry.

Mataczynski says, after the plans are approved, Erickson will move forward with the engineering plans.

“We have to approve a plan for him to make the engineering sizes and everything,” said Mataczynski.

Planning committee members approved the site plan, as presented.

Committee members also want to remind everyone there are multiple ways to be a part of the memorial.

The criteria to be included on the tablets are available in detail at holcombeareaveteransmemorial.com, under the veterans tab, along with an area to input veteran information.

Veterans must have served in one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time since the Revolutionary War and have an honorable discharge. In addition, the veteran should have close ties to the Holcombe community, such as living or working within the Lake Holcombe School District for some period of time, or attending the Lake Holcombe School District for some period of time.

Those who do not qualify to be on the tablet, but still want to be part of the memorial, are welcome to purchase an inscribed legacy stone.

“Anybody can buy one of these stones,” said Mataczynski.

More information and order forms for the legacy stones are available on the memorial website.

Fundraising efforts are also going well, as reported during the meeting. Clothing items with the memorial logo were available for purchase during the meeting and during a fundraising event Oct. 24.

Mataczynski also says stone sales are continuing and reported the aluminum can fundraiser is off to a good start.

“It’s almost full again,” said Mataczynski of the can collection area at the memorial site. “We’re going to have to haul pretty soon.”