Fundraising efforts continue for Glen Alpine veterans memorial

Glen Alpine Alderman Reid Scott and his wife, Patsy, have been working in cooperation with the Ruritan Club, American Legion, and the “Glen Alpine in the Street Committee” to make the town’s veterans memorial more accessible.

So far, the group has raised $12,095, which will go toward pouring a concrete pad around the memorial.

The pad will encompass the flags behind the memorial and surround the monument by five feet on each side and then extend to the sidewalk so that the memorial can be easily accessed.

The memorial is on U.S. 70, directly across from Foxhole Pizza and Subs, and will also include a Battlefield Cross monument, for which a donor has pledged $2,500 to cover the cost.

Battlefield Cross monuments feature a rifle pointed downward, a helmet on top, and combat boots at the base, which originated from a field custom to mark those killed in combat.

Now, bronze monuments are created to symbolize the honor, service, and sacrifice of those soldiers who were killed in battle.

The Scotts said they are still accepting donations. Originally starting at a goal to raise $10,000, they have increased the goal to $20,000 to have additional money for further beautification around the area of the memorial and to create an area that is as maintenance free as possible, while also remaining accessible.

On Monday evening, the Board of Aldermen voted to give the group permission to start paving the area surrounding the memorial at no cost to the town.

For anyone who wants to make a donation, they can be mailed to the Rev. John Terry, P.O. Box 203, Glen Alpine, N.C. 28628 Attention: GA Veteran Memorial Fund.