Fundraising to get underway for long-sought veterans memorial in Antioch
Renderings done, site secured for $500,000 veterans memorial
Renderings have been created, a site secured and determined to be good to go and now the fundraising begins for a long-sought veteran memorial in Antioch.
To be located on property between the community park under construction and the village band shell in downtown Antioch, the circular memorial honoring the six branches of the armed services has been the dream of Army veteran Debbie Rentner for more than a dozen years.
“Yes, it has taken a long time but there were so many hurdles along the way,” she said.
The design essentially is the same as what was originally envisioned though it has been tweaked. Pursuit of a memorial ebbed and flowed but picked up in earnest last February when village officials vowed support.
At the time, Rentner, as head of a small group called the Veterans Memorial Committee, approached the village board just as bids were about to be sought for the unnamed gateway park bounded by Main Street (Route 83), Depot and Orchard streets.
Locating the memorial in the park was discounted as the park already was designed and thought to be the wrong spot for that use. However, officials, led by Mayor Scott Gartner, agreed it was time to begin planning for the memorial.
“He was determined to make this happen,” Rentner said.
Gartner on Wednesday said the project has been discussed and promised to local veterans and the community for more than 10 years and it’s been in the last 10 months “that we’ve finally seen significant progress.”
A nonprofit organization, led by Rentner, has been formed. Village-provided land has been tested and found suitable for the project. Great Lakes Construction Association members will offer services, material or equipment and donated labor also is being sought from building tradespeople.
“I'm proud that the village has helped make the memorial a reality by finding the right location and the right parties to get the project moving forward this year,” Gartner said.
The goal is to have the project 100% funded by contractor donations and local fundraising. With the foundation figuratively in place, the daunting task of raising the estimated $500,000 cost of construction is beginning.
“It's going to be a huge endeavor,” Rentner said.
Assisting in that effort is former village Trustee Mary Dominiak, who was on the board when Rentner approached but chose not to run for re-election last year. She made a presentation last week in Rentner’s absence due to a health issue.
“We wanted to make sure the village board saw the design and knew what we were doing before going out to the community,” she said.
The memorial will be 50 feet in diameter and feature six granite monuments, a replica of an eagle in the center, flag poles and associated amenities.
“What we’re trying to achieve here is a place of reverence,” she said. “We’re hoping we can find sponsors for each of these monuments, that’s a goal.”
A Facebook page has been created and fundraising activities targeting corporate and civic sources, as well as individuals are in the works.
“Antioch deserves it,” Rentner said. “It’s going to happen.”