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monument chronology
CHRONOLOGY OF THE VETERANS’ MONUMENT IN DARRTOWN’S VILLAGE SQUARE
(How the idea originated and evolved)
November 16, 2011 Steering Committee meeting:
OTHER ITEMS: Dale Bufler presented the idea of recreating the service men and women monument that stood in the town square during WWII and shared a photograph of what the structure looked like.
September 5, 2012, Steering Committee meeting:
1.9. VETERANS SERVICE RECOGNITION: Dale Bufler shared some sketches that he had developed regarding the possible construction of a veteran’s monument in the village square that would include a lockable vault in which the names of Darrtown veterans would be stored. Dale suggested that the key to the vault would be given to the township trustees for safekeeping. He then proposed that, during the annual Memorial Day ceremony, the vault would be opened, the list removed and updated, if need be, the names would be read at the cemetery, and the list then returned to the memorial.
DBSC MEETING; AUGUST 23, 2013 ~ 10:00 AM ~ WILEY RESIDENCE
2. Design of new Veterans' Memorial in Northwest Quadrant of Darrtown village square:
Ron Wiley led a discussion of this project. We reviewed the sketches that Dale Bufler presented at our last meeting. Dale then introduced a new idea: We could design the new memorial to resemble or "mirror" the Walter Alston memorial that stands in the southwest quadrant. Discussion ensued. Each member expressed her/his preference. Then, Fred Lindley offered the following summary of the discussion:
> 2a. Design the monument to simulate the Alston memorial.
> 2b. Design the new monument to include the plaque that now appears in the old memorial on the east side of Main Street (must investigate if the Talawanda Garden Club still exists, as it sponsored the original monument. If it does, we need to consult with them regarding this transfer, which has been partially triggered by the expansion of the township fire house.)
> 2c. Investigate the cost of having the monument constructed of black granite.
> 2d. Place the monument in the center of the northwest patio, with front side facing east - toward Main Street.
> 2e. Design the monument to include Dale's ideas regarding verse, arrangement of symbols to commemorate all branches of military service, etc.
> 2f. Place all military pavers (those purchased and engraved in memory of veterans) near/adjacent to the monument.
Fred then made a motion that the committee accept this plan. Paul seconded the motion. Ron called for a vote, which unanimously passed. Dale volunteered to contact the Biltz Monument Co. of Brookville, Indiana and seek an estimate of costs related to this project.
DBSC MEETING; AUGUST 29, 2013
10:00 AM ~ DARRTOWN VILLAGE SQUARE
The committee members listed above met with "Jake" of the Biltz Monument Company, located in Brookville, Indiana. Discussion focused on the cost, location, design, construction, and installation of a Veterans' Monument in the northwest quadrant of the village square. The committee members then traveled to the Darrtown cemetery to see the type of work that the Biltz Company has produced for some of the burial sites.
12:15 PM ~ PATER RESIDENCE
Items Discussed:
1. Veterans' Memorial We discussed the details of the Veterans' Memorial. We are considering a monument that will mirror the Walter Alston monument in the southwestern quadrant of the village square. Tentative plans call for a gray structure, approximately 60" wide by 60" high by 6" deep that will be mounted on a base of 66" wide by 12" deep by 8" high. The total cost is approximately$8500. The monument will be placed in the northwest corner of the paved patio in the northwest quadrant. We discussed the idea of adding a flag pole to the site.
DBSC MEETING; SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 6:30 PM ~ AT THE PATER RESIDENCE
Ron Wiley: Veterans' monument - Ron will submit a grant proposal to Oxford Community Foundation, by Nov. 4th deadline, in pursuit of funds for Veterans monument.
DBSC MEETING; SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 - 10 AM ~ AT THE PRESIDO PINES
B. Flagpole near the Veterans’ monument:
B1. We decided that we like the idea of placing a flagpole near the monument; we will seek sponsors for this project, which will be pursued next spring. We hope to have it in place in time for the Bicentennial.
DBSC MEETING; SEPTEMBER 23, 2013 - 7 PM ~ VIA OOVOO (video conference)
1. Positioning of Veterans’ Monument:
1A. Background: Today, four committee members (Ron Wiley, Joe Pater, Betty Daniels, and Jack Daniels) helped John DeVore place engraved pavers in the Memorial Park. During that time, John recommended that the monument be centered on the west side of the northwest patio – rather than in the corner, as had been previously discussed with Jake from Biltz. This move will make the monument more compatible with the layout of individual pavers.
1B. Decision: As a decision had to be made, the four members concurred and the monument will be placed as described above.
DBSC MEETING; OCTOBER 10, 2013 - 10 AM ~ AT E-DOT PARK
3.2 – As of this date, we have encumbered an estimated total debt of $24,015.
> $2,135 (actual) to pay off the paver project
> $8,700 (estimated) to pay off the Veterans’ Monument (Ron has not heard from Harry Ogle regarding a lower price.)
>$13,180 (estimated) to fund the Bicentennial
DBSC MEETING; OCTOBER 21, 2013 - 7 PM ~ VIA OOVOO (video conference)
7. Better price on the Veterans Monument?
Harry Ogle has offered to seek a lower price on the veterans' monument. Ron Wiley and Harry will meet with Harry's contact this Thursday. Ron will make certain that the offer/bid is commensurate to the one that we already have.
DBSC MEETING; OCTOBER 30, 2013 - 9:30 AM ~ AT DANIELS RESIDENCE
2.1 Financial:
Ron Wiley provided the following information: Our current indebtedness:
> Estimated Bicentennial expenses = $11,177
> Cost of veterans’ monument (based on bid from Jonus Memorial Arts of Harrison, Ohio) = $4,707
> Balance owed on paver project = $1,544
> Total indebtedness = $17,424
DBSC MEETING; NOVEMBER 22, 2013 - 9:30 AM ~ AT WILEY RESIDENCE
3. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Ron provided the following information – current as of November 22, 2013:
> Bicentennial Expenses - estimated $11,177.00
> Veterans’ Monument - actual 4,707.00
> TOTAL EXPENSES $15,884.00
4b. Veterans' Monument – estimated final cost, estimated date of installation, thoughts about a dedication program (any connection to/with the 2014 Darrtown Cemetery Memorial Day service?)
> Final cost (confirmed with Jonus) is $4707.00.
> We agreed to conduct a dedication program on Memorial Day, May 31, 2014. Our program will be held in conjunction with the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at the Darrtown Cemetery, if Memorial Day committee is interested in doing so. Paul is a member of the Memorial Day committee and will discuss the idea with the committee members.
DBSC MEETING; APRIL 21, 2014 - 9:30 AM ~ AT LINDLEY RESIDENCE
c. Paul Gillespie reported that the installation of the foundations for the Veterans’ monument and the flagpole is scheduled for the second week of May.
DBSC MEETING; APRIL 28, 2014 - 9:00 AM ~ AT WILEY RESIDENCE
9. Paul Gillespie reported that the township workers are scheduled to pour the footers for the veterans’ monument and flagpole during the second week of May.
10. Paul reported that the May 25th Memorial Day services will begin at 2:00 PM at the Darrtown cemetery. The dedication of the Veterans’ Monument will follow in the village square. In case of rain, the program will take place in the Methodist church.
11. We discussed the TENTATIVE plans for the May 25th Dedication of the Veterans’ Monument:
a. Musical selection by the Talawanda HS band (to be confirmed)
b. Provide reason for assembling
c. Unveil the monument (all seven committee members)
d. Express appreciation to those who assisted in making the monument a reality.
e. Musical selection by the Talawanda HS band (to be confirmed)
12. Dale reviewed TENTATIVE plans for July 6th Dedication of Veterans’ Flagpole.
a. Call to order
b. Provide reason for assembling
c. Message (reference to Francis Scott Key)
d. Recognize veterans of foreign wars who are in attendance
e. Present a Darrtown “Medal of Honor” to the veterans
f. Read names of those killed in action
g. Raise the flag (Paul Gillespie)
h. National Anthem (Alan Dunkleberger)
i. Honor Guard salute j. Taps
DBSC MEETING; MAY 12, 2014 - 9:00 AM ~ AT WILEY RESIDENCE
c. Foundations for monument and flagpole in village square – Paul Gillespie reported that he talked with Danny Burkholder this morning at the park; depending on the weather, the foundations may be poured this week.
The following is a chronological list of excerpts from the minutes of the Bicentennial Steering Committee meetings that relate to the creation of the veterans' monument.
Members of the committee included: Dale Bufler, Betty Daniels, Jack Daniels, Paul Gillespie, Fred Lindley, Joe Pater, and Ron Wiley.
