The veteran's monuments and Blue Star Highway marker now on the Barry County Courthouse lawn will likely be moved to the Veterans Plaza, a new memorial planned for Tyden Park.
Administrator Michael Brown told Barry County Commissioners Tuesday that he brought up the city’s request to move the monuments to see if anyone was opposed. After answering commissioner’s questions, Brown said he will let city officials know that the “board is generally supportive” of them moving the monuments.
Brown said the relatively small monuments, as well as a Blue Star Highway marker, were not purchased or owned by the county, moving them will not cost the county any money and the areas left are small and would be reseeded.
The new veteran’s memorial is supported by the city and the area’s major veteran’s groups, he said. He will get more information on the plans, which are still being finalized.
The Veterans Plaza plan includes several additions to the Civil War soldier’s statue already at the entrance to the park. Planned are four benches, three memorials, stamped concrete areas, eight lit flagpoles, one for each of the six branches of the military, including the Merchant Marines, one for the POW/MIA, and an American flag.
The Hastings City Council approved the use of the city property for the new memorial last month. They allocated $15,000 for the memorial to come from the Parks and Recreation capital improvements fund.
The Barry Community Foundation is holding $600 raised a few years ago, and will accept donations from individuals or businesses for the memorial
