SPRINGVILLE — A proposed project by the city's veterans of war would add to the "Art City" theme, by beautifying the entrance to the city cemetery and honoring those who have fought for freedom.
The Springville Veterans Memorial Board plans to construct a war memorial at the cemetery entrance, just off 400 South near 300 West, that would include five bronze statues surrounding the veterans' flagpole. The sculptures would represent each branch of the armed services.
"We checked around, and this is the only cemetery we know of that doesn't have a memorial honoring veterans," said Richard Money, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Board.
Mayor Fritz Boyer said a veterans' memorial is long overdue and something every cemetery should include.
"I believe we owe that to people who are in that cemetery who have served their country," Boyer said.
The proposed project would complete a beautification plan for the cemetery's entrance. A few years ago, the entrance area was used to house equipment for the city parks department. City officials moved the storage area, purchased some additional land and have completed many improvements to the entrance the past few years.
"They have really made a nice entrance there, and we think this project would only enhance that further," Money said.
The Veterans Memorial Board installed a flagpole a few years ago near the entrance and now want to place the five 3-foot-high statues in a circle surrounding the flag pole. The statues are being designed by sculptor Leroy Transfield.
"We decided the flagpole just wasn't quite enough," Money said.
On the pedestal of each statue will be a granite tablet engraved with the logo of that branch of the military. The Coast Guard statue will also represent women who have served in the armed forces.
"We want to honor everyone," Money said.
The memorial will also include a granite tablet engraved with the names of the several hundred veterans buried in the city's cemetery.
Total cost of the project is estimated to be about $40,000, and will be financed totally through donations collected by the Veterans Memorial Board. The board would like to have the memorial complete by Memorial Day in May, but believes next Veterans Day in November is a more realistic date.
"We want to have all the money in place before we begin working on this," Money said.
In the next few weeks the board will install a large "thermometer" type sign near the cemetery entrance to show residents how the fund-raising effort is progressing. The board says anyone wishing to contribute to the memorial can donate at any Central Bank and Trust branch.
E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com