‘Finish the Park’ party to benefit Elgin Veterans Memorial

Posted June 05, 2012 2:45 pm

Submitted by Elgin Community Network

Phase II of the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park will create a waterfront access to the memorial. Courtesy of Hitchcock Design Group

The Elgin Police Department and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 57 are teaming up to sponsor a “Finish the Park” party to benefit the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park.

Scheduled from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Elgin American Legion, 820 N. Liberty St., the event will feature Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda as the guest bartender. It also will include live music by The Lenny’s and Monday Drive. There will be 50-50 drawings, meat raffles, and more.

Proceeds will benefit the “Phase II” or waterfront addition to the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park. When completed, this feature will pay tribute to veterans interred at sea and allow for more dignified waterfront ceremonies at the memorial.

Professional estimates obtained by the committee show the project will cost between $62,000 and $67,000. The Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club recently donated $10,000, as did Elgin resident Elinor Richoz, whose husband, Art Richoz, was a member of the original veterans memorial committee. The World War II veteran, who died in May 2008, was shot in the shoulder, jaw and eye by a German machine-gunner in 1945, earning him a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge. Naming opportunities, which provide inclusion on the dedication plaque, are available for certain levels of contributions.

In addition to soliciting donations, members are raising money through the sale of lapel buttons and polo shirts. Pins are available from members as well as the Spring Street and Lillian Street stores of Ace Hardware.

The Phase II Committee is made up of veterans and interested citizens — including some who served on the steering committee for the original memorial in 2008. Gene Banke and Jerry Turnquist are co-chairs, and Patricia Porter is secretary. Other members include Lee Barrett, Ernie Broadnax, Ray Chelmowski, Elgin City Council member Richard Dunne, state Rep. Keith Farnham, Brian McClure, Elinor Richoz, Walter Porter, and Wally Wetzel.

The Veterans Memorial Park is located adjacent to the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.

Contributions may be made to the Elgin Community Network, a 501(c)(3) entity acting as fiscal agent for the group, and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For information or to make a “PayPal” donation, visit www.elginveteransmemorial.org or call (847) 431-2472.

Phase II of the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park will allow the currently undeveloped shoreline of the park to be used in ceremonies particularly on Memorial Day for the strewing of wreaths and flowers in the nearby Fox River to honor those who are interred at sea. Courtesy of Hitchcock Design Group

The Elgin Veterans Memorial Park Phase II Committee, in cooperation with the city of Elgin, is in the midst of its campaign Extending the Honor to build a waterfront access to the memorial. Courtesy of Hitchcock Design Group

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