P TO SUCCESS Of " 01"" AMJ:RICA

MBNA's Aspire Awards were created to recognize monument bui lder companies that have drawn favorable attention to their compan ies, and in turn, to the industry through the ir specialized market ing and/ or public relations ca mpaigns.

All MBNA members in good standing are invited to submit entries for the 2015 MBNAspire to Success Marketing & Public Relations Contest.

Any publicity you've received during the contest year (November 1, 2014 through November 1, 2015) is eligible . This includes coverage by newspapers, magazines, television, new acqu isitions, celebrated anniversaries or testimonial letters.

Up to three (3) winners will be awarded the handsome granite MBNAspire Award, a tall , polished trophy that adds elegance and interest to any member's lobby or bookshelf. Honorable mention entries will receive a certificate of merit suitable for framing. All winning entries will be featured in MBNews.

ENTRY FORM

Deadline to submit material is December 31 , 2015.

2015 MBNAspire to Success Marketing and Public Relations Contest

Name: ____ Lt\~I'~J~.v~ __ ~ ____ ~I ~N~S~f~~~----------------------------------________ ___ J

.b< I~ /, v....-So ·e \ ,"I , '~ ,." . . .~.r _ ) companyName: ______ ~T __ ~~~~~~-=~ __ ~\~ __ ~~~~~~~~ ,~~~~~~~ __________________________ ___

Add ress: _-''SJ''-'C:=::...c=----'s,=->..:-.---'\'-'\_'\-'=c..u.....-,::::.=-'='-'----'='--'-I--'--(_-e=--£"---~_'__ ______ _____ ___

City: \/ I 1. C' I ( "'­

Phone: 0o'iS-0:3 7

State/ Prov: ( c.TL"

E-mail :

Postal Code: C;<I/,t:ifJ Country : \ ) 11 q 10 ,0 . vJ:.'8£A.. r;; k {cwSf I'Y\ON~ .(0)-

• Detail your experience. Use a separate piece of paper. It can be one item or event, or multiple events, or a year­long ad campaign .

• Please attach any photographs, clippings, brochu res, letters, invitations or company branded materials that relate to your entry . We need original photographs (prints or electronic), but please photocopy your clippings, let ters or invitations if you need them returned as we cannot return the materia l. Photos can be black and white or color .

Events shou ld have taken place between November 1, 2014 and November 1, 2015 . Deadline for receipt of materials at MBNA Headquarters is November 13, 2015. Materia ls may be submitted on-line or by postal service.

If you have quest ions or need additional information, contact MBNA headquarters at (800) 233-4472 or via emai l at info@monumentbuilders.org.

MBNA I 136 South Keowee St reet I Dayton, OH 45402 (8001233-4472 I Fax (937) 222-5794 I info@monumentbuilders.org

KRAUSE ~ MONUMENT Lasting craftsmanship and compassionate service since 1895

Krause Monument won the bid to create and erect the Seneca Area Veterans Memorial. A small town of 600 people helped raise over $150,000 and dedicated their memorial in 14 months from signing the contract. The original chairman of the committee Jerry Johnson passed away from cancer before the project was complete, but the committee kept focused and completed the project on time.

Timeline and Marketing

A. The campaign started with creating a Project Board to be displayed at the local post office so that families could see what the project looked like. Exhibit A

B. The next task was to ask a local sign company if they would donate a sign to place at the project sight not only to show the design and attract attention, but to also help with fundraising by adding a thermometer for dollars donated . I contacted 2 local newspapers and The Crawford County Independent came and took pictures. It worked fantastic! Exhibit B

C. I then created a Marketing Brochure that we displayed at the local

businesses. They could also be emailed or mailed to families interested .

Exhibit C D. Ground Breaking was scheduled Aug 2014 with Jerry Johnson's family front

and center. This received great press from the Crawford County Independent and the Courier Press - Prairie du Chien. Exhibits 0

E. Dedication was set for Nov 11, 2015 and it was a cold windy day. We

involved the Seneca Grade School and High School kids. We estimated there were approximately 1200 people were there in a town of 600. Both

local newspapers were there . The Courier Press and The Crawford County Independent. The dedication was even picked up by WKOW TV from LaCrosse. Jennifer Livingston covered the story. Exhibit E

Main Offic e I Sho

806 S. Main Street Iiroqua, WI 54665 800.657.4 16 608.637.7726 608.637.7496 fax

KRAUSE ~MONUMENT

J\NN WIN(i15l\.

vIroqua - \lfain Office & Manufactunng Richland Cemer .Reedsburg

806 S. MAIN ST. VI ROQUA, WI 54665 TEL: (608) 637-7726 www.krausemonument.com CELL: (608) 434-2787 Email: ann.wlngerOkrausemonument.com TOLL FREE: (800) 657-4826

Licensed ... 1 State of WI to sell preneed monuments & engraving

(IDOl' co., ... ""' ..... 1101)

• Ex,Mr: mnMno/ coultSl!lon

- /17 home appointmenlS

• Indoor Showroom

· B~"wsIJlllSol1dmQrct ___ _

-

•

--

_IL

* FUTU RE SITE

Seneca Area Veterans Memorial

SUBMIT A VETERANS NAME '* DONATIONS

608·735·490(

--­* GOAL $l~v""vu

$125,000

$100 ,000

$90,000

$80.000 $70 ,000

$60.000

$50,000

$40.000

$30,000

$20.000

$10,000

allcountys lgns.com

Please pick up a brochure 'II

~'(~I ~II 6· ~ IERING GAYS MILLS. 'THE APPLE CAPITAL 0 AND SOLDIERS GROVE, "AMERICA 'S FIRST SOLAR VILLAGE" $1 .00

" .. "" I,··· •• " , .• {fIf_. ""1"'""" J'" "1' If' J I'" '" "II" II

( ~ I ?1IaW'4Yl! ~ ... ---LUME 109' ISSUE 34

.... "'. . ...... -

THURSDAY, N.OVEMBER 13,2014 ""'- . ~

Memorial fundraising sign placed The Seneca Area Veterans Committee consisting of Bob Ostrander (chairman), Tom Ol­son, Larry Kelley, Cliff Tollefson, John Swanson and the late Jerry Johnson (Honorary Chairman, 1944-2014) have worked diligently with Krause Monument Company of Viroqua to deSign a Veterans Memorial to honor Seneca veterans. They recently erected a sign at the site to give people an idea what the memorial will look like and how they can become • part of this project To receive more Information on how to add a veteran's name to the memorial, purchase a memorial tile, bench or make a donation please email Larry Kelley at priscilla002@centurytel.netorcali Krause Monument at 608-1;37-7726.

ROO5 A ~ e ... ._ . .. -c-' .•. -_,tp0ll ~.clllt1

GAYS MILLS, WISCONSIN

SOURCE OF F UNDIN G

The eSlilllaled Cosl oflhe projecl is $150,000. IJyoll

are IIO'W, Dr have ever cOl/sidered file Seneca area

yO'ur home lawll, Dr have been a studellt oJlhe Seneca

schoO'l dis/riel. YOli are encouraged In fill ill alld

return this form. YOllr help alld parlicipalioll are

necessm y to tIle sliccess a/this monument.

Make YOllr cOlllrihlll iolls 10:

Seneca Area Veterans Memorial Fund

P.O. Box 205

Seneca, WI 54654

(Please Prilll)

Donal' Nome: _ ________________ _

Address: _________________ _

Pholle: ___ ________ ______ _

E-mail Address: _______________ _

AmOllll1 Ellc/osetl: ________________ _

All contribution ill allY 1II0 1lll( are greatly appreciated.

A donotiall wall will recognize donatiolls of /lt e/allowing:

Brollze $1,000 - $2,500

Silver $2,501 - $5,000

Gold $5,001 - $ /0,000

Plar{,llllll $/0,001 - $20,000

Pi/made $20,00/ & above

PROJECT GOAL

The Seneca Area Veterans Memorial will hOllor all

wome" alld men of the United Stales Army, Navy. Air

Force. Marin es, Coas/ Guard ant! Mercha1l1 Marill es

fro11l lhis area, whether h ving or deceased. active or

illoctive. wartime or peacetime. we want 10 hOllor our

veterans by cOllstructing a permanellf memorial,

Please help us.lind fhe names oISel/eea area iudividu­

als bysubmilling fll eir names 01/ fh e encfosedjorm.

A f und-raising drive has been illilialed to creel a

monumellt and provide all area wllere veterans. their

friends and /alllilies. as well as membel:s of the

general public may pause and re.llecl on tIle sacr{fiees

veterans have made 10 keep America Fee alld a model

of democracy,

The Memoria/will be located ill lhe 10WIl o/Sel/eca on

lite corner of Main SI. (/-Iwy. 27) alld Waler 51. Six

free-slallC/iug grallite tablels will be eng raved on both

sides wilh all the names Ihm are collected. All women

and men who have served in the Armed Forces, past,

presellt or ill the fut ure. are imporrant al1d 110 Olle

should be overlooked.

Targel date for the completioll alld dedicatioll 0/ the

projecl is Fall 2015.

Wilh your help alld Ihal of olher individllals all d

businesses, the Sel/eea Area Veleralls Memorial will

become a reali~y. Your eOl1lribu fioll lVill be greatly

appreciated.

"'4 :s ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~

U ~ ~

£,cl1.bi I c- ,

f .. "" 1..1> G-a. •

Persollalized dedicatioll . 12 X 12 grallite tiles and gardell bellches are available

for purchase to recogllize alld give tribute to individllals.families, or grollps

that have served Ollr great natioll.

JfYOl/ lVish to purchase OilY of these items, please/ill Ollt the form below alld retllrn to:

Seneca Area Veterans Memorial Committee

P.O. Box 205

Selleca, WI 54654

Questiolls? COlltact Lany Kelley by E-mail: priscilla002@cellfUly tel.llet or

AIlIl Willger at Krallse MOllllmellt by pholle: (608) 637-7726. or

E-l1Ill i I: a II II . winger@/< rausem OIl Wll en t. com

Plea,\'C p,.i,,! c1ea,.(v

Purchaser's Name: _______________________________ _

Sireel Address: ____________________________ _

CiIY

: _____________ -.- Sw/e: ___ _ Zip: ______ _

Phone: ___________ _ £- l1/oil : __________________ _

t 2 X J 2 Grallite Tite Price: S200

(M('.s.~age may IIS(' 4 lilies. iIIlt/lip 10 I J ch{/l'(/ctel'S IX'/" (i/l(', inelulling s/){1('l's.)

)'OUN M ESSAGE

4' Bflckless Gra"ite Gardell Bem:ll e.\' Price: S3,OOO

Only 15 Ix,uh~s H'ill M "I'ai/able for purc/Ja.\'(' at the memorial site. Pull payme,II ItIIl!)'! a(,Cllmpall), OI'der form.

(Messoge lIIoy It5e lli/U!,~, and lip /0 36 ch(l/'Octers IX!I' line, illc/tllling SIXIC{'S. Logos IIItI)' he IIsf'd tiS wdl.)

r OUR MESSAGE

COlllmillee Members

Bob Ostrander, Chairman

Lan)' Kelley

Tom O/SOIl

CliffTolleftoll

Joll" Swanson

Carol Crusan

HOllorm:y Chairmall

Jeny Johnson

1944 - 2014

'--'------'-11 l --.--r----rlll -'--'---'-111---'------'----111'----'----'-11 -'-'-'1 11-'-----'-'-111-'------'-'111-'-----'--11 '----'---'--1 1 1-'--'---'-1 1 I----r-r-TI 1 1-'-'---'1 1 1 ! • •

**Donations Appreciated * * for in elusion 011 memorial if

submitted before memorial is set.

Names submitted after the memorial is

set will be charge{l $120.00 pel' nallle.

Submit l'elera llS' n{l llles for il/c/l.lsion 01/ memorial.

I. Inscription Name;

Brallch of Service: [-- -- ~~~ ~-- ~-~ ~---~

Dates of Service; 1_ n - n___ ___U~

2. Illscriplion Name:

-~

Brallch of Se",,'ce:

-] Dales f?f Service: 1_ -- -- u --- ---~

J. Inscriptiol/ Name;

Bral1ch of Service:

- J Dates of Service:

-]

Animal shelter gets memorial donat~"~

k.r a..'1:-LOCAL NIIWI A 1+-", '" ",')

~~---------------------------- ~u 5· t~o,~

VOLU ... III • NO. 13 I PDCCOURIBR.COM I .. DOIDAY, AUGUIT 20, 20lt I

Family members of Jeny J~ . .no I a -.y Aug. 8. ~_.., for _ ~ -ing of the s._ ......... ''1lII0I''' on '- '-'«. Jerry not only OM_ ancI opeiated John· son's One 8IIop Shoppillg center in Seneca for many YNtS. he also SPC"- . I lied the veterans memorial project. The groundbreaIdng took place on Thursday, Aug. 14. one dey J~s funeral. Pictured (from row, from left) are DebbIe Johnson, Artie JoI'iiI8Oll, Trudy otwlson, Brad Johnson, Gretchen Johnson, Julie (Johnson) Wollman; (back row) JOI'dan, Tommy. and Brandon Johnson. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Veterans memorial spearheaded in Seneca bv the late Jerrv Johnson

Missi retur By Correne Martin

A 16-year-old local gi went missing Monday e returned home early T morning. according to ford County Sheriff Da Cu1lick.

'She is OK and safe: , lick confirmed by phor Tuesday morning. He d. to comment on the eli n upon her return Q of her dis.aI?l"<.iI:OiI!

Erruly F _n Ul 1) rt To

the

b run arourul 4 t'-ID..- md arrive at her destmatlol farruly also reported tha had seen a suspicious near their farm eariler day. A search immediate sued and an Amber AIel Code Red alert were sen Within a couple hours Cullick said, pictures an scription of the girl WEI

together and distribut< IeSlional mpn i:& ;anA

Family members of Jerry Johnson, who passed away Aug. 8, gathered for the groundbreak­ing of the Seneca Veterans Memorial in his honor. Jerry not only owned and operated John­son's One Stop Shopping center in Seneca for many years, he also spearheaded the veterans memorial project. The groundbreaking took place on Thursday, Aug. 14, one day after Jerry's funeral. Pictured (from row, from lett) are Debbie Johnson, Artie Johnson, Trudy Johnson, Brad Johnson, Gretchen Johnson, Julie (Johnson) Wollman; (back row) Jordan, Tommy. and Brandon Johnson. (photo by Correne Martin)

Veterans memorial spearheaded in Seneca by the late Jerry Johnson By Correne Martin

The beautiful weather and friendly company were per­fectly suited for the day on which a memorable ground­breaking for the Seneca Vet­erans Memorial took place, Thursday, Aug. 14, across from Greenees Comer in Seneca. The ceremony came just one day after the funeral of life­long Seneca resident and busi­nessman Jerry Johnson, the man who spearheaded the me­morial project.

Though he never served !fl the Armed Forces himself, Johnson felt strongly that the community needed a place ... here hometown citizens and lisitors could reBect, appreci­,te and honor those veterans mo had. Johnson, whose amUy owned and operated Iohnson's One Stop, died from

cancer on Aug. 8. During the last few months of his life, he selected Krause Monument, of Viroqua, to design and build the veterans memorial and he made arrangements for friend Bob Ostrander to take over the project. In the past few weeks, Johnson was happy to learn there was going to be a groundbreaking.

"He knew this was in good hands; there was no doubt in that. He knew they would see this through; his wife, Trudy, said Thursday, of the Seneca Area Veterans Memorial Com­mittee. "He was not in the ser­vice; his dad started the feed mill in 1937. I think he wished he had been. He just always felt like he wanted to do more for the people in this area:

. Trudy said the veterans me-morial project came about at a meeting about a year and a

half ago, around the time of plafl!fling for the Seneca Ridge and Valley Rally. "He stepped up because he wanted to do something for the community that he loved so dearly," Trudy said.

Ostrander grew up and graduated with Johnson. He spoke affectionately about his good pal during Thursday's ceremony. "Jerry was a Seneca person, through and through. He did a lot of work on this. He said, 'Come along: and now he's up there laughing at me. This is a great thing."

Ostrander, as well as his fellow members of the Seneca Area Veterans Memorial Com­mittee- Larry Kelley, Tom Ol­son, Cliff Tollefson and John Swanson-led a moment of silence in Johnson's honor

See VETS MEMORIAL, page 2

: :

tween ::I and 9:30 p.m. day night. The family repc that she had gone out j

run around 4 p.m. and d arrive at her destination. family also reported that had seen a suspicious vel near their farm earlier in day. A search immediately sued and an Amber Alert Code Red alert were sent Within a couple hours, Cullick said, pictures and a scription of the girl were together and distributed regional media and busine: as well.

"The sheriff's departm. Prairie du Chien Police partment and a lot of f, ily and friends helped sea within several miles arOl

City asks COli with library e By Ted Pennehmp

The Crawford County E sentation Tuesday momi! ministrator Aaron Krame asking the county to dom Memorial Library expansil

Kramer said the propo: brary from 5,812 square square fHt. He said the c and that, hopefully, the p and-a-half years.

See LIB

:-OV ING GAYS MILLS, "THE APPLE CAPITAL OF WISCONSIN, II AND 5

lOLUME 109 • ISSUE 22 THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

ddle Challenge join Brave Ride weekend event Jldoor recreation enthusi­and those looking for fun ~end activities are invited tend the Kickapoo Brave and Paddle Challenge on t 23 and August 24 in Mills. The Paddle Chal­on the Kickapoo River

launch on Saturday af-n. while the Kickapoo

, Ride will start Sunday Illg.

arurday evening at 7 event goers will enjoy a -e at the Kickapoo Stump " Campground in Gays and listen to the sounds otamed,' a band from illle that "plays rock .. but are also starting to thelT own music." The .. public is welcome to

Campsites are avail ­lr those looking to get = on the Brave Ride .l morning.

lar ""iU, bicyclists ." ckapoo Brave Ride '" • popular event for

-vclists since 2008, - that take riders

l l'Ille of the most see­• pes III the Midwest.

. I feature a new - route system. which

nders to choose ncr. intermediate,

'loop . ranging 39 miles. Loop bmed to acrue\'c

I to 116 mas III ill

MEMBERS OF JERRY JOHNSON'S family p. Cl. the Seneca Veteran's Memorial to be cons ctad from Greener's Comer. On hand for the eve • son, Artie Johnson, Tommy Johnson. ru Gretchen Johnson and Julie Johnson-Wo

Community is committed

• ground breaki ng ceremony for - "Way 27 directly across the street

• Jordan Johnson Debbie John-S-andon Johnson, Srao Jon on

Seneca Veterans' Memorial will honor those w served

:~::~_ the collec-ment of .he

In Gay

Motl • In cr

By CHAR A 58-yea

from Dubu( an accident in the VilJag Sunday, Au! according 1 County Shet

The solo occurred on ; two-tenths-o Highway 13.

Donald G: 2010 Harley cycle west, ( orchard hill. of the cycle . ing a curve 0 1

across the f(

into the guard Severe.

Galle was , cycle and se Ve was taken 10 morial Hospitl later transfem Healthcare in motorcycle ri • broken neck b< lung and five cording to .be ment.

G e· !II(

~bea,~ d

yommyony IS COmmitted

Seneca Vetera'nst

Memorial will honor those who served n~' CHARLEY PREt: ~ER With n c undbre n

.eremon) t the lit 01 t~ proposed oneca \ 'eteran 's Memnn.1 on Hiehw~ ~7 I I hur..,d.". the (.·o~nt'll'nlt\ "'~'\I

,;...' .1'" !h~r ·.t.mjo\l.

. a " \ mmg TIle",

"' ere me yroundbre mg pholO opponunitie and a te" words about the proje<t from those involved.

Seneca's Bob O,trander be­gan the remarks with a bnef ex planation of the project and a heanfelt thank yotl to the late Jerry Johnson. who pia) ed such a big part in making the project a reality.

The Seneca Veteran 's ~le­morial is intended to honor lo­cal veternns for their sC["\'ice in every war since the Ci"il \Var. Ostrander explained. He urged everyone to come forward with the names of those who have served to be included on the wall of the memorial that wi ll honor that service.

In acknowledging John­son's role in (he project. Os­trander noted that Jerry was committed to local design and construction of the memorial.

Tltc.. r ~ U.~;r." !~.~ ft· 'J'X"ib" f~ t ~. e :nt'ln('l· n I ;; U, ~I(>!t 1m!:' t m \ 'iroqu . The) "ill be a, I5t J M' IN,.I con,""""," in i con­... lnu.:tit,ln.

"The plan is to have the f und prepared tlnd the ce­ment poured by the end of

pt mber." Ostrander tolJ the,e g thered at the site on ThuMa\ "Next \ ear, we need to r.lJ~ . 120.006 te> complete the project. We have already robed 30.000."

Donations needed Anyone wanting to make

a donation to the project can ~end it to'

Seneca Area eterans Memorial PO Box 205 Seneca. WI 5~6:H T he land donated for the

site of a fonner service station and is going through a DNR remediation process. When the DNR cleanup has been completed. the local vetemns memorial committee intends to tum over the propeny to the Town of Seneca.

Larry Kelley, another com­mittee member. told those in attendance that Community Development Alternatives

wa, ..Jmlnl rtnn_ the collec­tion onJ dl ement of the don 00 and that the) would suppl) a leller to anyone mak­iO ' OOn8litln" affirm;,. t ta;<-detluctibl nature nl [ile project. A zero-maintenance design

Kelley also said the project was des igned to be a zero­maintenance faciliry requir· ing no maintenance from [he townshi p to mow gmss and maintain flowerbeds.

Tmdy Johnson shared a heanfelt moment with those assembled for the ground­breaking event. as she dis­cussed her husband 's involve­ment with the veteran' s me· monal project.

Trudy told the group Ihat her husband had lived long enough to know this ground­breaking for the project \\ as -cheduled to happen. She t Id the assembled commit­t<e members that her husband trusted them and that he knew to whom to turn over the proj~ ~ct.

At one point. Tmd) Johnson id of her husband len" that

he felt "he is here with us to­d y:'

See VETS Page 13 Col 1

Opportunities to memorialize vets VETS from page 1

Krause Monument's Kathy Showen gave a brief review of the project for those less familiar with the details . She said in addition to the dona­tions and the many fundrais­ing activities the community will plan, people would have a chance to make a unique memorial within the larger veteran's memorial by pay­ing $200 to have an inscrip­tion for loved ones made on 12x12-inch grdnite tile. She noted a good ponioo of those payments would go toward funding the veterans memo­rial .

Showen also nOled that there would be an oppor­tunity to pay $3,000 for an inscription to be placed on a four-foot granite bench. She said either option was a great opponunity to record a remembrance that would remain f~ver, while also supponing the veterans me­morial .

Ostrander explained that there w Id be no charge to put names of area veterans on the wall of the memorial , but once it was completed there would be a charge to add names to the wall.

The ceremony ended with a chance to review plans and drawings of the memorial .

eneca unvei s veterans memo o

A veteran is reflected in the pol ished black granite of the entry stone to the new veterans memorial in Seneca, dedicated Wednesday, Nov. II, Veterans Day 2015 .

1

Veterans and their families searched intently for the names of their loved ones among the granite tablets listing all service men and women from the Seneca area who served, dating back to the Civil War.

2

Groundbreaking for the Seneca Area Veterans Memorial began 14 months ago. Since that time. over $120,000 was raised to erect the memorial , which was designed by 2014 Seneca graduate Cacey Ostrander. The project itself was spearheaded by Seneca resident and businessman, the late Jerry Johnson.

Trudy Johnson unveils a small stone and plaque at the base of the memorial ' s flagpoles that Krause Monument donated in memory of her husband, Jerry, whose idea started the groundwork for a veterans memorial in Seneca.

3

., •

""

Members of the McCormick-Rose American Legion Post 308. of Gays Mills, saluted the American Flag as it was raised for the dedication ceremony of the Seneca Area Veterans Memorial on Wednesday, Nov. II.

By Correne Martin

Seneca area citizens and natives gathered with grateful hearts Wednesday, Nov. II , for those who worked so hard to dream, plan and create a beautiful veterans memorial in the community, a reminder of the people who placed freedom for others over and above their own safety. In the words of Pastor Lynn Schreck, " It's now a permanent reminder of our memories and our gratitude for those who 've served."

Less than 14 months from the date of the ground breaking for the memorial , names of Seneca area service men and women are now etched into both sides of six black granite tablets representing war eras dating back to the Civil War. Those breathtaking tablets surround a 17,000-pound red granite centerpiece stamped with the emblems of each of the Armed Forces. Three flagpoles flying American, Wisconsin and Prisoner of War flags stand on the north end of the memorial , which was designed by 2014 Seneca High School graduate Cacey Ostrander. Also, 63 tiles in honor or memory of community members and businesses, past and present, lie on the south end. Seven granite benches dedicated to families and service men encircle the memorial , which was erected across the highway from Greener" sCorner.

4

A dedication of the new Seneca Area Veterans Memorial filled the community with pride and emotion on Veterans Day last week as several hundred people attended. Trudy Johnson, wife of the late Jerry Johnson, and family, unveiled the landmark for the crowd.

Trudy spoke about her late husband s passion during the dedication ceremony, saying she believed Jerry would've been so proud of the committee and the community for what they came together to accomplish.

Roger Ostrander is the person Johnson, when he was ailing, hand picked to become the committee chairman. He also shared comments: "Jerry passed away before thi s was done but he put together the committee that helped make this happen. I sincerely hope everyone enjoys this memorial for years to come:'

Ostrander also directly addressed the kids from Seneca Schools in attendance. "Young ones, come visit this memorial. Take care of it, because it's yours."

In addition to Ostrander, committee members include Larry Kelley, Tom Olson, Cliff Tollefson, John Swanson and Carol Crusan.

Town Board Chairman Ron Hartley remarked about the veterans for whom this memorial now stands. "Thanks, to our veterans," he stated. "You are the guardians of our flags, freedom and happiness . You make this a wonderful life for all of us. Thank you for this gift."

Ann Winger, of Krause Monument, complimented the volunteers on the quick timeline the veterans committee followed. "This wouldn ' t be possible without the many volunteers who contributed their time, equipment, materials and financial donations," she said. "This was done in record time for something of this size. You should be very proud of your accomplishnlent on this project."

Further poignant moments of the dedication ceremony involved Father Zacharie Beya blessing the memorial, the school kids singing "God Bless the USA" and the McCormick-Rose Post 308, of Gays Mills, presenting the colors and firing a salute.

5