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Perry Area Historical Society presents Veterans Memorial design for Legacy Park
Summary
Ellie Louderdermilk, president of the Perry Area Historical Society, presented a multi‑wall Veterans Memorial design for Legacy Park and asked the city to partner on base/installation; the council signaled consensus to move forward while a federal grant decision is pending in June.
Ellie Louderdermilk, president of the Perry Area Historical Society, asked the Perry City Council to approve a design for a Veterans Memorial to be installed in Legacy Park and said the society has already vetted roughly 1,800 local enlistment names for the wall.
Louderdermilk told the council the society selected the design about three months ago and submitted it to Clark Memorial (materials list notes the vendor location as “Mon” in the packet). She said the group applied for a grant from the Institute of Museums and Library Services in January to cover most of the cost but does not expect an award decision until June. Regardless, the society said it has been fundraising for about seven years and has funds ready to contribute toward the project.
The proposed layout calls for multiple angled walls in front of a flag display, with names listed by conflict in chronological order. Louderdermilk said space at Legacy Park prevents a single continuous wall; each wall would sit on a stone base that would match the reflection pool base. She told council members the walls will be organized by conflict rather than by military branch.
Council members asked about funding and construction responsibilities. The historical society said it expects to cover most monument costs through its fundraising and potential grant funds, and requested city assistance only for park space and concrete bases; Mr. Smith (city manager) said city staff (engineering/TSW or the city bid process) could incorporate the monument into the next phase of Legacy Park construction and that staff will coordinate formal plans and bid documents.
The council indicated consensus to move ahead with a formal partnership between the city and the Perry Area Historical Society, subject to final design, permitting, and funding developments. Louderdermilk said the society will continue fundraising and finalize remaining name vetting prior to installation.
Next steps: staff will work with the historical society and design/construction vendor to incorporate the memorial into Legacy Park plans and bring formal documents back to council; the society will notify council when grant decisions or additional fundraising milestones occur.
