By Dan Linehan
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO —
In an effort to spur donations for a Mankato veterans memorial, ground will be broken on its first phase in coming weeks.
Mel Roiger, chairman of Veterans Memorial Place committee, said they’ve raised $60,000 of the estimated $150,000 for the monument, a five-pointed star. It represents five branches of the armed forces — the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Merchant Marines of World War II also will be honored.
Roiger said they continue to raise money for the memorial, to be located next to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, but are hoping corporations lend a hand in the coming weeks and months.
They’re still selling $100 bricks to commemorate individual veterans, he said.
Roiger said a lot of people have expressed interest in donating, but “I don’t think they’re going to until we get started.”
Mankato-based I & S Group Inc. designed the monument and is administering the construction contract.
Designer Ted Tegen said initial construction, expected to start in two or three weeks, will focus on the parking lot, sidewalks and utilities.
To donate: Send money to the Veterans Memorial Place, care of the Mankato Area Foundation at P.O. Box 496, Mankato, MN 56002.
