Pieces falling together for veterans memorial planning

By Julia Wolf

Various projects needed to get the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial up and going, are in the works. Members of the Planning Committee heard updates on those elements, during a meeting May 19.

Jim Mataczynski, committee chairperson, says they expect to hear results back this week on the 501(c)(3) application that was submitted.

“And this week should tell us what the DNR wants us to do next, if they want us to do anything,” said Mataczynski.

The group also plans to order the emblem for the center of the memorial shortly. The emblem of the U.S. Seal will be a bronze casting. Mataczynski says it will take 10-20 weeks, for the emblem to be cast.

Grants and donations also continue to come in, helping bring the memorial plans to life. A local electric firm also offered to donate their time and labor to be electricians for the project.

The details are also coming together for the upcoming motorcycle ride fundraiser, which starts in Holcombe, and goes to The Highground in Neillsville. Pre-registration is open for the Saturday, June 18, event, so organizers can get a headcount for the breakfast.

“The next thing we went on to, was putting together a flag display-type float,” said Mataczynski.

He says the flags, which will eventually be displayed at the memorial site, will be displayed on a trailer for use during parades throughout the summer. There will also be a few seats on the float for veterans to ride.

“That should look pretty good,” said Mataczynski.