The American Legion Post 302 and Auxiliary in Oconto Falls will mark Memorial Day weekend with a fundraising push.
Proceeds will be used to develop a veterans memorial on Central Avenue. The memorial, with a price tag estimated at $100,000, is proposed on city-owned green space southeast of Parkview Apartments.
As part of the Memorial Day celebration at Memorial Field, the post and auxiliary will hold basket raffles, with the drawing to be held after Monday’s parade. The baskets will be on display in a tent at Memorial Field from Friday through Monday. Veterans can stop at the tent for a free bag of popcorn on Saturday.
Terri Umentum, post vice commander, said Oconto Falls is the last community in the area to have a prominent veterans display, and it’s time to remedy the shortcoming. While the existing stone monument on the corner of Central Avenue and Franklin Street recognizes veterans killed in action, the proposed veterans memorial would create a larger monument in recognition of all veterans.
The original stone monument will remain as is, without being incorporated into the project.
Community members can become a sponsor by purchasing a $100 or $300 brick to honor a veteran. Other sponsorships are also available: $500 for a flower planter, $1,000 for a bench or $1,500 for a flag pole.
Sponsorships also are available in bronze ($1,000), silver ($2,500) and gold ($5,000) levels.
The Legion and Auxiliary hope to complete the monument within a few years, then plan to move the Memorial Day services from Woodlawn Cemetery to the new park.
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