Class members presented a check to Jerry Welsh, president of the Friends of Veterans Memorial. The friends group is working to raise about $100,000 to make the memorial a reality. When completed, it will feature two large granite monuments and two smaller granite monuments surrounding the brick area. The larger monuments will have emblems of the different branches of service. The smaller monuments will be engraved with the words "All gave some, and some gave all."
A focal point will be an approximately 11-foot tall monument where the names of service men and women killed in action or missing in action since World War I will be recognized. Brick pavers will surround the area with engraved names of people who have served in all branches.
The new memorial is planned to be constructed near the new community pavilion on the north side of Main Street just east of the Thornapple River.
Eligibility for the engraved bricks will include anyone who has ever attended TK Schools, resided in the area that is now considered the TK school district, or ever lived in the 49333 zip code area.
Additionally, a second ring of different colored bricks will be purchased by area organizations and community members like the 8th grade class of 2015-16. These bricks will simply show support for all those who have served.
The 8th grade class brick will read, "Thanks vets, from TKMS Eighth Grade Class of 2015-16."