Memorial design coming to life for Holcombe veterans

“We’re getting real close to a design.”

Jim Mataczynski, chairman of the Holcombe Veterans Memorial Committee, updated the public March 12, about plans for the proposed tribute to those from Holcombe, who have served their country. Mataczynski spoke at the regular Lake Holcombe Town Board meeting, talking about what the final design could look like.

Originally, the group started out with a circle for the design, with a lot of parking spaces. However, Mataczynski thought they needed to “square off” the design and sell parts of the space to help fund the memorial.

With the memorial, all branches of the military would be recognized. There would be a proposed veteran honor wall, possibly with room for sponsors. Between the honor walk and wall, the group may station flags.

Over time, black granite tablets and benches could be installed.

“We’re working on a letter to send out to all the Holcombe residents…to let them know to come to the annual meeting,” said Mataczynski, adding there will be a presentation on what is planned for the memorial. “We want to have a good amount of people come, so we can get good input on it.”

The town’s annual meeting was scheduled for later in April, but plans are now up in the air, with the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the state and a 10-person limit on gatherings.

Once the annual meeting is held, Mataczynski plans to ask the voting public to approve that the town officially take over ownership of the memorial, “so it never goes away.”

“Old vets die and sometimes, there ain’t enough new ones to carry on,” said Mataczynski. “We don’t want to put all this effort into this beautiful thing to let it grow up into weeds.”

A fund has already been established through the town, for donations to the memorial. If the town takes over ownership of the proposed site near State Hwy. 27, donations would then be non-taxable, with assured longevity of the memorial.

Normally, the tribute planners meet at 7 p.m., the third Thursday of the month, at the Lake Holcombe Lions Club pavilion (Staudacher Field). Once the 10-person ban is lifted and meetings resume, anyone is welcome to attend the open meeting.

Mataczynski says the group has a mission statement and that any decision has to be made in keeping with that statement. He said he wants as much input as possible from residents, as it is their memorial, too.

“This deal affects every family in Holcombe,” said Mataczynski. “I don’t know anybody who doesn’t have a veteran in the family some way, shape or form.”