Local organizer pitches veterans memorial and static jet display; asks town to sponsor surplus-vehicle request

A local organizer asked the Monroe Town Council to back a veterans memorial plaza and to serve as the requesting entity to acquire a static-display aircraft through the federal surplus program or the National Museum of the Air Force.

Jeff Soldner, who said he has experience with similar projects and is forming a supporting nonprofit, described two funding and acquisition paths: the museum-loan route, which typically keeps title with the military and can take two to four years, and the government surplus program, which can transfer ownership to the town but requires demonstrable upfront funding and site readiness. “You do it by showing the museum that you have already collected your money,” Soldner said, arguing a completed or near-completed plaza makes agencies more likely to designate an aircraft for display.

Soldner provided rough cost figures: about $60,000–$70,000 to transport and professionally mount an aircraft and roughly $25,000–$30,000 for the plaza and upright supports, while suggesting a broader fundraising target to cover all costs and establish a maintenance fund. He said his business entity or nonprofit would assume maintenance responsibility to minimize direct expense to the town.

School officials said the district may be willing to host the display on school-owned land but flagged insurance, lease terms and site selection as issues needing review. Superintendent McClure said locations at the school’s Polk Street entrance or by the flagpole are possible but that the district and town would need to work through liability, lease or contractor arrangements before any official vote.

Next steps: Soldner will notify the council when the nonprofit is established and fundraising begins; town and school attorneys will review potential agreements and insurance matters before any formal commitment by the council or school board.