Veterans Memorial Park Planned

Cairo has had a Veterans Memorial on its wish list for several years. That wish was jump started by a fund created at the Cairo Community Foundation by the Edward VanWinkle family. A committee including Kirby VanWinkle, Don and Judy Shuda, LaTonna Brand, Becky Grabowski, Andrew Frankforter, Kim Wells, Brandon and Marissa Robinson and Charity Adams have been working for nearly two years on the design and development of a park worthy of the contributions of all Veterans.

The committee asked, and the Village of Cairo approved the designation of the vacant lot directly East of the Cairo Fire Hall as Veterans Memorial Park. Work on the park will begin this summer.

The memorial consists of 5 black granite pillars, mounted with a bronze emblem representing the five branches of the military.
• The pillars will be engraved with pictures depicting a branch of service.
• The center walkway includes four granite benches and one keystone engraved with a dedication.
• Engraved bricks, purchased and dedicated to a veteran will become the southern wall.
• A ribbon walkway, landscaped with pollinator plants complete the memorial.

The committee plans to create the initial greenspace summer 2018. The ribbon garden will be completed first with current funds and a grant from the Harold Dunlap fund managed by the Grand Island Community Foundation.

The committee is raising funds for the brick wall. Memorial bricks can be purchased from a Veterans Memorial Committee member for $150. Memorial bricks are available for all Veterans regardless of their connection to Cairo, Nebraska.

Other memorial items available for purchase or sponsorship include memorial granite pillars and benches. Please contact a committee member for details on sponsoring granite pillars and benches.

Please contact Charity Adams at 308-379-9119 or charity@cairocommunity.com for more information on this project.

Please visit Cairo Community Foundation for a Video of the entire project.