Local group planning for Guard monument at Archives
By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
There have been monuments erected all over the United States to honor the men and women who have fought to preserve our country's freedom.
There are memorials for veterans of both world wars. There is a wall with a complete list of soldiers who were known to have died in Vietnam. There are Civil War monuments in small towns all over the country, including the one in front of the Franklin County Courthouse in Russellville.
And now one local group hopes to add a monument for another group of veterans.
Plans are underway to build a memorial that will honor the members of the 115th Signal Battalion who are currently stationed in Iraq. Comprised of soldiers from all over northwest Alabama, the 115th has been deployed in conjunction with Operation Enduring Iraqi Freedom since January. The group is scheduled to return home in the early months of 2005, and plans are being made to have the monument erected before they return.
The monument will consist of granite benches with the Soldiers' Prayer on it that will be placed on the grounds of the Franklin County Archives in downtown Russellville. Two markers next to the building will include all the names of the soldiers from Franklin County who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Nichols, whose brother, Chris, is currently in Iraq, said that it is important that the members of the battalion know that people here at home support them.
One way to show support for the project is by making donations to the archives or by purchasing personalized bricks that are currently being sold. The bricks are being sold for $50 and can include messages or tributes to veterans of any war.
The monument is only part of the plans to honor the soldiers, however. Nichols said that plans are also being made to hold a concert at the football stadium on April 2.
Though the sell of the bricks will be the backbone of the fund-raiser, there are also five different donor levels, ranging from $50 to $5000 and above. Corporations who donate will have signs prominently displayed at the walkway.
There is no charge to have a soldier's name placed on the monument.
For more information, call 332-8827.
