Melrose Veteran’s Memorial-Phase 2 Completed
Phase 2 of the Melrose Veteran’s Memorial on main street has been completed in time for Memorial Day- just as Chairman John Carmody had planned. Organized in October 2010, this project has received overwhelming interest & support from Monroe county citizens and from former Melrose area citizens & alumnae living throughout the USA. Word spread rapidly & the response, interest & appreciation for this project have been incredible. Donations came in & over $6000 was raised quickly to start Phase One (and more donations recently) Many volunteer hours have been donated to research & gather names of our veterans, do dirt work, pour & finish cement work, get electricity & lighting to the site, erect the lighted Memorial display board, build a handicap assessable railing & cement approach, erect a flag pole & light it around the clock.
The second stage of this project has now been completed. The Monroe County Community Foundation awarded a $2200 Grant toward Phase Two of this worthy project. Phase two includes purchasing & erecting eight stone markers depicting the 8 branches of the USA Services. Landscaping materials have been added, rock, shrubs & flowers. Many volunteer hours were donated headed up by John.
Many stop to visit the Memorial to reflect & pay tribute. They often take pictures & take notes as they point out names on the Memorial to the young & old who accompany them.
The Memorial has proven to be of historical value & is an educational tool that has sparked people’s interest to learn more about America & Melrose history. Area residents, former residents, alumnae, out of state relatives, travelers & tourists can often be seen sitting awhile to soak up & enjoy small town & rural Iowa roots as they honor our Veterans. The Memorial is a boost to Melrose Mainstreet & its’ Park . Melrose invites you to stop by, visit the Memorial & then stop by our wonderful new Main Street Bar & Grill -THE WHISTLE STOP-for some awesome home cooking, perhaps some ‘spirits’ and of course good ole Irish blarney that is usually flowing freely. You’ll be glad you stopped. God Bless