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June 16, 2008
The Wisconsin Korean War Memorial in Plover is due for repairs.
The concrete walkway that connects the park to an island is
crumbling. Many of the panels are cracking and sliding into the
lake. And there is concern that the entire structure -- dedicated in
June 1994 -- could slide away in the next few years. The waves from
Lake Pacawa and the water's freezing and thawing has expedited the
deterioration.
With the help of local and state funding, local veterans groups and
the board of Korean War Veterans Memorial Association of Wisconsin,
something will be done to preserve the edifice for the next
generation.
Starting about the 1st of September, the major
reconstruction of the causeway is expected to take about 2 months to
complete. The village of Plover donated $30,000, and State Sen. Julie
Lassa, D-Stevens Point, included $165,000 of matching funds for the
project in this year's state budget.
"It took a few years before we were able to get funding, but the
memorial was something I wanted to make sure was preserved," Lassa
said.
The memorial board decided to make repairs that will last longer but
are more expensive than other repairs.
The concrete will be removed and replaced with interlocking concrete
blocks that are made into mats. The mats are designed specifically
to stabilize steep slopes and to minimize wear and tear. Plans also
call for landscaping work along the shoreline and around the island.
Plover village administrator Dan Mahoney said fixing the memorial
was an important task.
"The village is pleased that permanent repairs will be completed so
that Korean War veterans and their families, relatives and friends
can pay their respects and reflect on the forgotten war for many
years to come," Mahoney said.
Bids for the job are in and work will start as soon as the state
Department of Natural Resources signs off on the permits, Mahoney
said.
The memorial has a wall with the names of veterans and a cluster of
statutes that represent Wisconsin Korean War veterans.
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