Help to give the veterans memorial in Depot Park a 'voice'
Jack Heller | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years AGO
Imagine, if you will, walking by Depot Park as the lights come on in the evening and suddenly the haunting and beautiful strains of the bugle call “Taps” begins to play. When the lights go out in the morning, the bugle call “To the Colors” will begin playing.
After a new sound system is installed, not only will the bugle calls be played daily, but the capability to play patriotic and religious music during the appropriate holidays will be provided. In addition, a first rate public-address system will be available for all public gatherings at the memorial site. This system will easily be heard over the traffic noise that is generated in front of the memorial.
API System Integrators Inc., in coordination with Bose Inc., has designed a first-class system for the veterans memorial in Depot Park. In addition to the capabilities enumerated above we will be able to add an option in the future that will allow a visitor to push a button and hear recorded messages about the history of the memorial, the accomplishments of some of the service personnel whose names are inscribed on the bronze tablets and instructions on how to obtain a brick for the memorial walkway.
The bid from API for only the system components and their installation is $16,113. Other costs include the installation of underground conduit for the speakers and electrical wires, wire chaseways and electrical boxes for $4,950. We are also budgeting an additional $3,000 for wireless microphones and other equipment that will be required to operate the built-in public-address system. The grand total of this project is $25,063. We have $3,500 in our account from the sale of bricks, which leaves us with about $21,563 to raise in order to do this project.
With the help of individuals, businesses, organizations and the entire Flathead Valley community, we can do this and realistically achieve our goal of having this system ready to go for the Flag Day ceremony in June of 2012. If individuals, businesses and organizations have been putting off buying a brick, we are asking you to do so now. The sale of about 200 bricks would give us the required money to do the project. Brick purchases are fully tax-deductible, so now would be a great time to buy a brick. Donations in any amount would also be gratefully appreciated. Ads will fully explain how to purchase an eternal brick. The bricks make wonderful Christmas gifts.
We also intend to raffle off a bronze scale model of the memorial just like the ones on display at the library, VFW Club, Elks, airport and all the high schools except Bigfork. This bronze has a retail value of $2,500. Full details to include where raffle tickets can be purchased will be published shortly. Do your part and not only buy a ticket but also encourage others to do so.
With your support we can achieve our goal and provide another needed asset for the memorial and the greater Flathead Valley community.
Send donations or brick requests to Flathead Valley Veterans Memorial Fund, 241 South Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.
Jack Heller of Lakeside and Chuck Olson of Kalispell are longtime advocates of the veterans memorial in Depot Park.
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