Saturday, December 28th, 2019
Donation boosts drive for memorial
By Tom Stankard
Submitted Photo
Burtch family members recently pose for a picture with representatives of the Rockford American Legion Post 508. The family has donated $25,000 to help fund a veterans memorial park in the village.
ROCKFORD - A generous donation from a community-oriented family will make a lasting difference in the community.
Wanting to give back to the community, the Burtch family helped organize a fundraiser this fall to benefit the veterans memorial project, which is being spearheaded by members of the American Legion Post 508 and the village's bicentennial committee.
Two auctions were held and food and drinks were sold during the October fundraiser. The Burtch's efforts along with community support helped raise $25,000 for the memorial, Legion and bicentennial committee member Reed Shaffer said on Friday afternoon.
"The Burtch family feels blessed to live in a such a giving community, and we took the opportunity to give back," Melissa Burtch said. "This benefit was a small way we could show our gratitude. The community support has been fantastic, and we're overwhelmed by the amount of money raised."
With this donation, the commitee has raised about $67,000 for the memorial, which is expected to cost about $70,000.
Groundwork for the site, which began in August, is complete, and the monument is expected to arrive in March, bicentennial committee member and village administrator Jeff Long said.
"Village workers have done most of the work and saved us a huge amount of money," he said of completing the groundwork. "This will help us finish for sure."
The memorial is being built next to American Legion Post 508, a fitting location with a rich history, Long has said.
During the War of 1812, Anthony Shane for his service to the country was awarded 312 acres on the south bank of the St. Marys River that eventually became the village of Rockford. Many Rockford residents, including some members of the Burtch family, have served their country since then.
"We are grateful to them and anyone who makes that sacrifice for our country," Burtch said.
The memorial will honor members of the military by featuring five monuments, one for each branch of the military, with flagpoles soaring high above bearing American, Ohio and Prisoners of War flags.
Legion and bicentennial committee members hope "the memorial will stand for generations and generations," Shaffer said. Donations for the memorial can be made to the Leota Braun Foundation with "Post 508 Veterans Memorial" in the memo.
For more information, call the Rockford Village Hall at 419-363-3032.
