By Khalida Sarwari
Five years after a veterans memorial site was envisioned in Campbell, the first phase of construction is nearing completion outside City Hall.
Roughly 400 of the 600 bricks have been laid in the main plaza since construction began last October. They have been engraved with the names of veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The second phase of the estimated $650,000 to $700,000 project still needs funding, said Jim Free, chairman of the board of directors for the Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation.
The completed project will feature a plaza area, a timeline wall reflecting the country’s conflicts from 1776 to the present, a fountain surrounded by the six military service flags, a curved memorial wall, a sculpture and an olive tree that will be called the tree of peace. The memorial site is adjacent to the Orchard City Green, City Hall and the Campbell Library.
The nonprofit foundation was established in 2007 to remember and honor the sacrifices veterans have made on behalf of the country and to raise awareness of their contributions.
“We’re honoring all veterans and not just ones from Campbell,” Free said.
Once the memorial site is complete, the foundation will provide a community education program that highlights the contributions of veterans as well as support services and scholarships to veterans and their families.
“We’ll be operational as a foundation to help veterans and their families in any way we can–direct them to organizations that help with post-traumatic stress disorder or readjust to civilian life, which is sometimes very difficult,” said Free.
The foundation is seeking donations for the second phase of the project through the “Buy a Brick” program that is used to recognize members of the six military services. Each brick costs $125 and may have up to three lines with 17 characters on each line, including spaces.
For more information about the foundation or to donate, visitwww.campbellveteransmemorial.org. Donations can also be sent to the Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation at P.O. Box 622, Campbell, CA 95009.
Campbell Vets Memorial is taking shape as the project’s first phase nears completion
