Osakis Armed Forces Memorial fundraising project under way

• This is the overall design of the Osakis Armed Forces Memorial, which will be built at Bill Sliper Lions Park on the east side of Osakis. The words “city of” will not be included on the structure on the left.

This is the overall design of the Osakis Armed Forces Memorial, which will be built at Bill Sliper Lions Park on the east side of Osakis. The words “city of” will not be included on the structure on the left.

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It will be a space to reflect, honor and remember the service of every man and woman who has served in America’s armed forces.

The Osakis Armed Forces Memorial will be this community’s commemoration to veterans.

It’s a project that’s been in the works for a while now, led by the efforts of seven local veterans – Mike Kral, Al Kral, George Meyeraan, Kearney Frank, John Pallow, Steve Mihalchick and Chub Hensley.

The memorial will be located at Bill Sliper Lions Park on the east side of Osakis, along Highway 127.

Hensley said, “It’s a memorial to all who have served or will serve and it’s special recognition for those individuals.”

“This is for all veterans,” Frank added.

The memorial will span a space of about 24x30 feet in the park and feature towering structures of granite engraved with logos from each branch of the military, plus granite benches and hundreds of pavers.

The committee said those granite pavers are the critical element of the memorial – each will honor a military veteran. They can be purchased for $125 each.

The commemorative granite pavers are 8x16x3 inches and will be inscribed with the veteran’s rank, name, branch of service and war or campaign and date of service. Order forms are available at the Osakis VFW. Anyone may purchase pavers to honor any veteran.

Committee members have been focused on the project’s design and now that the granite has been ordered, they will launch efforts toward raising money to fund the $100,000 project.

“We’re accepting donations of any amount from anyone,” M. Kral said. Donations have already started coming in. They’ve raised about $30,000 so far. Donations are tax deductible.

The group intends to host several fundraisers throughout the year, sometimes partnering with other local organizations to raise money.

The Osakis Armed Forces Memorial is expected to be complete next summer.

Follow #AlexMN @EchoPress Reporter and Osakis Review Managing Editor Amy Chaffins on Twitter at @TheOsakisReview.

Tags: news, osakis, military, veterans