The plans for a memorial space for veterans in your city don't have to be elaborate or expensive. This is simply designed to be a space where people can gather to pay their respects to the veterans who have ensured our freedom for so many years. If you're taking the veteran memorial project on yourself, let's talk about some of the steps to take during the planning phase.

Consider Your Budget

There are several ways that you can budget for a veteran's memorial space. Consider running a local fundraiser to generate funds. This can be done using a car wash, barbecue, a 5k run or walk, or by simply asking for donations from local businesses. There may even be grants available for this purpose at the local, state, or federal level. The National Park Service has a veteran's memorial program that allocates funds for the construction and maintenance of military memorials.

Think About Location

You don't need a lot of space for a veteran's memorial in your city, but you should be careful about the location. Choose a place that is centrally located and can be accessed by anyone who wishes to. Popular locations may include a state park, a town square, a city hall, etc.

Who Are You Honoring?

Consider if there is a specific branch of the armed forces that you want to feature at your memorial. There should be a local branch of that military organization in your area that would be willing to work with you on this project. They may be able to connect you with some valuable resources that can help with funding or the construction of the memorial. It's typical for people to want to participate and show support for the local veteran community, so reach out to find the help that you need with this project. Having the right support will ensure that the project is a huge success.

Addressing Ongoing Maintenance

While your memorial space may look very nice when it's first constructed, you want to determine who is going to be responsible for maintaining the area in the future. Maintenance needs may include trimming, weeding, cleaning, and repairing things. It may be beneficial to organize a board of directors for the memorial space. This board can include notable people in the area who can ensure this project is taken care of.

Scheduling an Inaugural Event

Once your memorial space has been completed, schedule an inaugural event. This event should include local government authority figures, local veterans, people who contributed to the project, and community members. This is an event that will let people know the memorial is present and can be visited by anyone who wishes to do so. Let local newspapers and news channels know that the event will be occurring so they can cover it.

Whether you need a custom headstone or a memorial stone for your veteran's memorial, you should work with an experienced and reputable company. This will ensure quality and authenticity so your memorial will look professional and beautiful for years to come.