Gold Star Monument Surveying Begins
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By Gretta Becay

Dedicated members of the Minnesota campaign to build Gold Star Family memorials met on Aug. 18 on the grounds of the Government Services Building in Mantorville to talk about the exact location of the Dodge County memorial, which will be built as soon as funds are raised.

Gold Star families have, “an honor no one wants.” They have lost a loved one while that person was serving in the U.S. military.

Committee members include a Gold Star family; father, mother, and daughter.

At a meeting late last year, the county commissioners approved donating the land for the memorial.

County Facilities and Fleet Manager Duke Harbaugh explained at Monday’s meeting that the County would also pay to have the site surveyed and a ‘constraints map’ with narrative will be provided by the surveying company. Once that topographic map is completed, the exact location can be pinpointed. The memorial will be on the south side of the building and it is planned that the cut out of a soldier within the monument, will be placed so he is saluting the American flag that flies on the west side of the Government Services Building.

A POW/MIA flag will be added to one of those flag poles.

Scott Eggert heads the Minnesota campaign to build Gold Star Family memorials. He explained that fundraising is through the Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams Medal of Honor Foundation of Kentucky in conjunction with the CPL Curtis M. Swenson Memorial Fund.

He noted that on Sept. 27, National Gold Star Mothers’ Day, a meet and greet will be held at the Mantorville Saloon from noon to 3 p.m.to raise awareness and funds for the memorial.

Coincidentally, Dale Wellik, representing the Dodge Center VFW, came to the August meeting to deliver a check from that group to go towards the structure.

Those wishing to donate may contact treasurer Kay Swenson, akaswenson@outlook.com.

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