Veterans' Memorial Cooks Up Funding

By DAVE NICHOLSON The Tampa Tribune

Published: Mar 24, 2007

About 300 meals were served Monday at Grandpa Johnson's Barbeque, 1407 W. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd. The event raised at least $3,400, said Marsha Passmore, chairwoman of the dinner.

It was the second fundraiser at the restaurant, and tentative plans call for a third, although it hasn't been scheduled.

"We were very pleased," Passmore said.

The committee has raised about $200,000 in cash and donated services for the proposed Plant City Veterans Monument, she said. The monument committee would like to complete the project by either July 4, 2008, or Veterans Day 2008.

The next step is finding a location for the monument, which will be a tribute to veterans. The committee wanted to place it in the parking lot of city hall at 302 W. Reynolds St., but some city officials have said it may be more appropriate elsewhere, such as in the parking lot of Bruton Memorial Library on McLendon Street.

 

City Manager David Sollenberger this week said he continues to look at locations and should have a recommendation in about a month.

Passmore said the committee hasn't found an artist to replace Plant City native Harrison Covington, who dropped out in December citing health problems. Covington's design tentatively called for a six-sided monument with military figures representing all the country's wars. The new design won't be set until the location and artist are finalized, she said.

The monument's price has been estimated at $500,000, although Passmore said that could change because it will be redesigned. Many of the area's leading residents have thrown their support behind the effort.

Although some details remain undecided, "it's going to happen," Passmore said.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432 or dnicholson@tampatrib.com.