The Williston Military Affairs Committee is seeking public input on a new memorial to honor veterans from the Global War on Terrorism. The monument would be placed at Memorial Plaza located in Riverview Cemetery on 9th Avenue West in Williston.
Memorial Plaza was created to honor the men and women from Williams County who have served their country. The site currently has monuments for veterans of WWI, WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam War.
The Military Affairs Committee, which is a branch of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, began considering ideas for the new monument during the past couple of years. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) started after terrorists attacked the US on Sept. 11, 2001.
The director of the Williams County Veterans Service Office, Grant Carns, said the Williston monument would provide a solemn place for people to remember those who served in the armed forces during the 21st Century.
“We want Memorial Plaza to include a memorial for the next generation of veterans who have served, including those who are of the post-Vietnam War up to today,” Carns said.
The Williston Military Affairs Committee felt it appropriate to create the GWOT memorial in 2013 following the return of the local National Guard Units Deployment to Afghanistan. Carns said they are still trying to establish a vision for the tribute.
“We are in the artistic phase of the project. We are trying to identify the type of feeling it should have because every generation of veterans has its own feeling,” he said.
The most recent monument at Memorial Plaza was designed and created by Williston artist and Vietnam War veteran David Njos. He made the monument honoring veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Carns said the Military Affairs Committee is seeking inspiration and input on the new monument from any artists or architects from the area.
Anyone interested in the project is asked to contact Grant Carns at 701-577-4550 or [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)