Local Group Donates to Hillsborough Iraq Veterans Memorial

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon at its Feb. 7 meeting, at Ben's Family Restaurant in Brandon, announced it was donating $1,000 to the granite- and brick-fundraiser under way to support the erection of the Iraq Veterans Memorial at the Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park and Museum in Tampa.

The $1,000 donation is for a 3-star sponsorship, which entails a 16-by-16 inches granite marker to be displayed on a column wall of the memorial.

"We felt that this was a way for us to help kick-start the campaign to bring an Iraq veterans memorial to Hillsborough," said Fran Palek, president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon.

According to a Jan. 17 blog posted by Mark Goujon, chair of the memorial effort, the first stage of construction began last month. "Please join the Iraq Memorial Committee," he wrote. "We need your help raising awareness and funds for monuments planned for the dedication ceremony on May 26, 2013."

The Iraq Veterans Memorial Web site features an updated list of sponsors and supporters. Available for donation purchase are engraved bricks and granite tiles and benches, which will be "proudly displayed throughout the memorial," notes a brochure for the effort.

"Please help us fund and build an Iraq Veterans Memorial in memory of 196 Florida fallen warriors sacrificed in Iraq and in honor of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn," notes the brochure.

Also noted is the master plan of the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department and the Veterans Memorial Park Museum Committee to build 12 theaters of war memorials at the Veterans Memorial Park Museum.

______________

Available Iraq Veterans Memorial Sponsorships

• 5-Star Sponsor ($10,000) — Purchases a personalized 24-by-24 inches granite marker, displayed on the twin towers 12-by-3 feet columns at memorial's main entrance.

• 4-Star Sponsor ($5,000) — Purchases a personalized bench to be displayed at the entrance, T-wall or 20-by-20 foot map of Iraq outlined in cement.

• 3-Star Sponsor ($1,000) — Purchases a personalized 16-by-16 inches granite marker, displayed on the memorial's column walls.

• 2-Star Sponsor ($500) — Purchases a personalized 12-by-12 inches granite marker, displayed on the T-wall.

• 1-Star Sponsor ($250) — Purchases a personalized 8-by-8 inches granite marker, displayed on the T-wall.

• Available for $100, a personalized brick, displayed around the map of Iraq or the T-wall.

• Available for $50, a personalized brick, displayed around the map of Iraq or the T-wall.

______________

To purchase a donation sponsorship, visit the Veterans Memorial Park Museum store online.

______________