The veterans group that has proposed building a monument in Libby will meet Jan. 16 to decide whether to move forward with plans to place the monument at Riverfront Park or consider other locations. 

Brent Teske, the secretary of the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Committee, said the group has nearly completed the tasks required by the Libby Park Committee to place the monument at Riverfront Park.

Even though the veterans have taken steps to meet the city’s demands, the group has yet to make a final decision on the location of the monument. Representatives of the group have indicated locations other than Riverfront Park will be considered. 

The city has imposed several rules that the veterans must follow if they hope to place the monument at Riverfront Park, including filing as a nonprofit organization with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office, securing liability insurance for the monument and completing a phase plan that outlines the progression of construction. The group also was required to hire an engineer to approve plans for the construction of a concrete pad and monument base. 

The veterans have not announced which alternative locations they are considering, though they have indicated that the city’s requirements for Riverfront Park have created several unanticipated financial obstacles.

The Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Foundation is raising money for a bronze monument featuring two soldiers. A soldier from the Korean War or World War II era will be shown pulling a wounded Vietnam War-era soldier to safety as the latter fires an M-16 rifle. The monument will be mounted on a five-sided pedestal that will feature each branch of the U.S. military.

The group hopes to raise $100,000 for the project. They are selling bricks for $100 each to commemorate individual veterans for their service. The bricks will be placed in the ground surrounding the monument. Each brick will include a soldier’s name, rank, branch of service and years of service. 

To contribute to the project, send a tax-deductable contribution to the Lincoln County Memorial Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 1638, Libby, MT 59923.