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Local veterans group seeks county support for Lance Corporal Keegan Allen Veterans Memorial Garden
Summary
Soapy Patriots (Sokupatric Inc.) asked the fiscal court for support and said they have nearly met an estimated $15,000 fundraising target to build a 50-by-50-foot memorial garden honoring Lance Corporal Keegan Allen and other service members who died on active duty.
Representatives of Soapy Patriots (Sokupatric Incorporated) presented plans Thursday for a Lance Corporal Keegan Thomas Allen Veterans Memorial Garden and told the Warren County fiscal court they expect to announce a site location soon and complete an initial phase of work in time for a Veterans Day dedication.
Tim Allen, introduced himself as executive director of Sokupatric Incorporated and said the memorial is being planned to honor his son, Lance Corporal Keegan Allen, who died in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 1, 2024, while stationed in Hawaii. "He was killed from that injuries from that," Allen said, describing the impetus for a county memorial that would keep service members’ names visible in the community.
Pete Dillenbeck, vice president of the organization and a Navy veteran, presented a site diagram showing an initial 50-by-50-foot garden with a flag, military-service insignia benches, commemorative plaques and subsequent phases that could add volunteer-led landscaping and additional dedications. Presenters said they have raised most of an estimated $15,000 needed for phase one and listed donations in the handout, including examples of $2,000 toward pavers, $1,000 toward mulch and $500 toward benches from Southern Outdoor Furniture.
The group said volunteers from JROTC programs, churches and scouting groups would provide ongoing upkeep and that some contracted landscaping work would be part of the maintenance plan. They said the project team is about "75%" certain on a preferred site and is aiming for an initial announcement around Sept. 5 (the anniversary of Keegan Allen’s death) with a target dedication of Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Judge Executive offered condolences on behalf of the court and thanked the presenters for the project information. Presenters asked that the court and community consider the memorial’s role in honoring veterans and noted potential partnerships with local organizations, including Operation Pride.
The presentation concluded with an invitation to ask questions and an assurance that the group would follow up with details as the site and schedule are finalized.
