Old Glory flies high alongside service flags at memorial

Flags fly high over the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial, after a ceremony Nov. 4, showcasing the first phase work that’s been done on the project. Along with the American flag, the Wisconsin, POW/MIA and all branches of the service flags proudly wave over the memorial site. More work is yet to come, but a good start has been made with the money raised so far. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

The mood was solemn, yet joyful, Nov. 4, for the raising of the flags ceremony at the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial site. With the work done just this fall, parts of the memorial are taking shape, in the form of a star inside a circle, with a medallion in the middle, surrounded by flags of every branch of service, the state flag, POW/ MIA and American flags.

“This is just Phase 1,” said Jim Mataczynski, chair of the Planning Committee. “People are really just getting an idea, of what the idea is.”

When the idea was first broached a few years ago, the memorial planned was nowhere as big as it will end up being. Encouraged by others, Mataczynski pushed for a larger site that will impact the community for years to come.

“Let’s make Holcombe – Holcombe,” said Mataczynski. “We don’t do little.”

Originally, the site was to be located at the Lake Holcombe Lions pavilion grounds, but those involved quickly realized it had already outgrown that space. So, stepping up to the plate, residents David and Sue Staudacher donated the land on 263rd Street, where the beginnings of the memorial now exist.

“And off we went,” said Mataczynski. Of course, it hasn’t all been a breeze, as some couldn’t envision what the memorial would look like. Now, with most of the first phase complete, the site will see a 4-foot sidewalk around the perimeter of the star area, as well as green space and seating around the star circle.

Phase 2 includes landscaping, and blacktopping the parking lot for bus and handicapped parking lot.

“That’s basically still working off of Phase 1,” said Mataczynski.

Phase 3 will see the well go in and holding tank, along with the two buildings planned and the bell tower.

“A lot to go yet,” said Mataczynski. With the seating, it’s the Planning Committee’s hope that many ceremonies will take place at the site, not just for Veterans Day or Memorial Day, but for celebrations of life.

“There’s no end to it…that can be used in this plan,” said Mataczynski. “And that’s our goal.”

He also wants to make sure the memorial is usable, especially the buildings, to help veterans who are still here, with classes and treatments.

“Make this a veterans memorial completely,” he said. “Not just, well, we remember their names, let’s remember them, and help them transition and work with the mental health part of it. That’s the memorial I want to see.”

While there’s much left to do toward the memorial, organizers are pleased with the progress and that people can see what the overall dream for it is. That said, it takes funds to complete the dream, which is why more donations are needed.

To donate, visit holcombeareaveteransmemorial.com, where PayPal contributions are accepted; make a tax deductible donation through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County at yourlegacyforever.org; or send checks to: P.O. Box 274, Holcombe, WI 54745.

As Mataczynski points out, the memorial is for the community, built by the community, with local contractors working on it, giving of their time and efforts. When visiting the site, a sense of peace comes over the body, which will last for generations, once the memorial is completed.

“It’s never going to go away,” said Mataczynski. “It will always be there now.”