Veterans group seeks county support for Welcome Center memorial; ALDOT blessing cited

Leaders of American Legion Chapter 511 told the Limestone County Commission on Aug. 4 they plan to install memorials honoring World War I, World War II and post-9/11 veterans at the county Welcome Center and asked the commission for public notice and possible funding assistance. "When I became president of chapter 5 11, I wanted to crank, along with Rick here, my good the vice president, we want to get this project cranked back up again," Daryl Robertson said. He described the plan as granite slabs bearing two bronze plaques listing Limestone County veterans and a battlefield cross feature. Robertson said the plaques "belong to the American Legion" and the chapter is willing to transfer them for the new memorials. He also said the project has "ALDOT's blessing to do this." Robertson provided figures he said would be engraved on the stone: "6,200 people from Alabama lost their lives in World War 2, 18,100 in World War 1," and said the county's war-on-terror names (three county residents killed) are being added. Why it matters: The project would add county memorial elements to an existing Vietnam replica wall at the Welcome Center and would honor county veterans; the group said it no longer has the fundraising capacity to cover the full project. Details and next steps: Robertson said the American Legion chapter raised funds in the early 1990s for the existing Vietnam replica wall and is now seeking outside funding, including help from state legislators. He asked the commission to be aware of the project and to consider any available county funds or assistance. No formal appropriation or vote took place during the work session. Ending: Commissioners acknowledged the group's plans and said staff would review the request; the project proponents said they would seek additional funding and keep the commission informed.