By Scott Harvey
Paris – A monumental dedication is in the works as residents of the Red River Valley prepare to install a Veterans Memorial.
Former serviceman Doug Weiverg is the chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee.
"Our Red River Valley Veterans Memorial is one we think is going to raise the bar for our part of Texas," Weiverg said. "It's a football field size; 300 foot by 126 feet wide, and it's being built for all veterans, past, present and future."
Total estimated cost of the project is around $2 million, with more than $420,000 already raised.
Crews are preparing to begin Stage 1 of the project, which includes installing the wall across the front, the gate, the first walkway that comes into the memorial and the leads to the Ring of Honor. The Ring of Honor will include the names of all veterans in the six county area that were killed in action, dating as far back as the Texas War of Independence. The Veterans Memorial will be constructed on land adjacent to the Paris Eiffel Tower. The entire project is expected to take about five years to complete.
Weiverg estimates that around 2,500 or more veterans from Red River Valley have been killed in action.
The Veterans Memorial Committee is selling 2'X1' granite pavers that will serve as the first walkway leading to the Ring of Honor. To date, approximately 600 have been sold at $300 apiece, with only 100 more needed to complete the walkway. The selling of pavers has accounted for about 65 percent of the committee's raised funds so far.
Over the next few months, additional fundraiser events are planned to help contribute to the Veterans Memorial, including a Comedy Benefit Tuesday, August 16. Tickets are $25 and include a BBQ dinner provided by Granddad's Barbeque, Comedian Chuck Montgomery from Houston, and a live auction. You can reserve your seat by calling Wells Fargo Advisors at 903-785-4584 or the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce at 903-784-2501. The event will take place at the Love Civic Center, 2025 S. Collegiate Dr., and begin at 6:30 p.m.
All auction items were donated by Red River Valley residents and businesses. A complete list of items is below.
Another campaign to generate funds is being put on by several area school districts called Pennies for Patriots. With the beginning of the school year, fourth grade students in dozens of classrooms will begin collecting pennies to pay for pavers at the Veterans Memorial. While collecting the pennies, the students learn of the importance of war heroes and history, according to Weiverg.
"It's educational. That's what we're really trying to do. Show future generations what their family did for them and that freedom isn't free."
Eight schools in Lamar County will have classes working in the Pennies for Patriots drive, one school in Delta County, four schools in Red River County, seven in Fannin County and seven in Choctaw County. Each class already has selected the names of the hero their paver will represent, from Texas Revolutionary heroes, to the Choctaw Code Talkers of World Wars I and II. The pavers will be complete and the heroes honored in Veteran's Day festivities in November.
In addition, a project started last spring in third grade classes across the area has also become a fundraising effort. Students created their own greeting cards for veterans, with 27 of the cards being selected for a Children's Calendar. The calendar will be sold for $10 each, and all proceeds will go to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial. Calendars can be purchased at chambers of commerce offices in Delta, Fannin, Lamar, Red River and Choctaw counties or by calling Shannon Jones at 903-784-6964.
The Red River Valley consists of six area counties; Delta, Fannin, Lamar and Red River in Texas and Choctaw and McCurtain in Oklahoma.
Auction items for Tuesday, August 16 are as follows:
- $10,000 Bull Elk Hunt package at Redbud Ranch in Lamar County. Includes meat processing, trophy heat mount and lodging for one night at Redbud Ranch Cabins.
- $1,000 package from the Choctaw Casino in Grant, OK
- $2,500 fishing package with cabin and Wally Marshall, on Hugo Lake with all the fishing gear - Hugo Chamber of Commerce
- $1,000 Wedding Package - Honey Grove Chamber of Commerce.
- $350 Lady Elizabeth's Christmas Victorian Tea for 10 people in 103 year old Victorian Style home in Roxton - Bill & Elizabeth Hankins.
- $450 High Brass Hunting Preserve quail hunting package from south eastern Oklahoma.
- $400 Dining package on historic Clarksville Square
- $350 Children's Birthday party for 12 at Miller Drug Store & Soda Fountain in Downtown Cooper, Texas hosted by 7 fairy tale characters - Delta County Chamber of Commerce
- 4 ranger Baseball tickets lower infield and parking, $200
- 4 Ranger Baseball tickets, Box seats and parking, $200.00
- $1,000 Trolley Car tour of Paris for 28 with wine & cheese party - Paris Jazz Society playing and art gallery show.
- Autographed copy of Eddy Robinson's new book "Lucky Me"
- Autographed copy of "Decision Points" by President George W. Bush
- Tom Bryant Photo framed by Quality Craft Frames
- J. Craig Stephens Photo framed by Quality Craft Frames