Tag Archive: Edmonds Veterans Plaza

Edmonds Veterans Plaza

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design Elements

The Plaza project is going full steam ahead and our fundraising committee wishes to remind all of our members that this is our project for the memory of all veterans past, present and future.

Each of us needs to look at ways in which we can contribute to the raising of the necessary funds; from our own contributions, large or small and from other community resources with whom we may have influence.

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update

Design Elements

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design Elements

Piictured above is the Navy portion of the curb wall, which will feature identical sections for Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Veterans.

 

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design Elements

Above and tt right are images of those section being called “Seat Wall” and “Seat Cube” respectively, which are designed to give visitors a place for reading, quiet contemplation, or simply to enjoy the space

Fund Raising Undwerway

Under the Guidance of VFW Post 8870 and lead by the efforts of Ron Clyborne, a fundraising committee comprised of civic leaders, both veteran and non veteran, have begun work to raise the approximately $ 450,000 the project is projected to require.

There is already some seed money in the bank, including a donation from the city of Edmonds, among others and there is no doubt that sustantial contributions will be forthcoming as the word spreads in and around Edmonds.

Details of what the final result is expected to look like can be found on the project web page at http://edmondsveteransplaza.com/. (Some examples shown at left)

There is also a Facebook page under the name Edmonds Veterans Plaza. Online donations can be made from either of those two sites.

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design ElementsWhile we are, of course, looking for large sponsors who can support our project in substantial sums, in the end we will also need lots of small donations, so your online donation is welcome in any amount you can provide.

The important thing is for all of us associated with Veterans causes to do our part to promote and support the project in any way we can.

 

Veterans Plaza Report

Ron Clyborne brought the Post up to date on the progress of Veterans Plaza. To condense it down to a tight paragraph, the project is moving forward but now comes the time to raise the necessary funds to bring it to fruition. The estimated cost is $450,000. I know that sounds like a ton of money, but this is a community project and we will need to have significant contributions from the community. Tom Mesaros, Army veteran, City Council member, and professional fund raiser is assisting us in putting together a citizens’ committee. In addition, VFW and AL will organize a fund raiser. Our target date for completion is November 11, 2016, Veterans Day.

Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Plaza

With the help of a lot of our Post members in setting up the Plaza for the ceremony, our first ever VeteransDay ceremony was a huge success. Our WWII veterans posted the wreath while Post Commander Jim Blossey MC’d the event with Mike Reagan being our featured speaker. Mike hit the correct tone in saying this Plaza would become a treasured spot for all the veterans in Edmonds and thanked the support of the city in making it possible. Dave Earling, Mayor, talked about how Veterans Day impacted him by the fact of family members serving and the loss of a close friend in Vietnam. It was a day to remember.

Veterans Day Ceremony at Edmonds Veterans Plaza

Veterans Day

On November 11th at 11AM, we will have our first Veterans Day ceremony at our new Veterans Plaza at 5th and Bell. Depending on the weather (although it never rains in November in Edmonds), we may have to put up some shelters for the speakers and honored guests. In addition, if Memorial Day at the cemetery is any indication, we will also have to put up chairs for our elderly citizens to use. Therefore, we will have a work party detail at 0930 to get things organized. Since this is our first attempt at this, the more hands we get to help, the quicker we can adjourn to the coffee shop before returning at 11AM. The agenda is still somewhat fluid, but Commander Jim Blossey will MC the event, Mayor Dave Earling will say a few words, and Mike Reagan, Post member and founder of the Fallen Heroes Portrait Foundation will be the keynote speaker. Our own Chris Edwards will play Taps to close the ceremony. Following the ceremony, we will need some hands to help us pack up everything. At that time, we will adjourn to the Edmonds Cemetery where there will be a tour of the notable veterans interred there. Hopefully, we can have a major showing of our VFW members so please wear your covers to the ceremony. This is our day at our Park so please make an effort to be there.