Hubbell VFW holds breakfast fundraiser for honor roll
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HUBBELL -- This spring, the first bricks will go in at the new Honor Roll for military veterans, across the street from Hubbell's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4624.
Saturday, the post held a breakfast to raise funds for the honor roll.
It replaces an earlier veteran honor roll that was put up after World War II to honor service members from Hubbell and Tamarack City. That one had been taken down, possibly for maintenance; its whereabouts are unknown.
For the past year, post members Carl Deiro and Charlie Matson have been spearheading the campaign to build a new monument, including doing research to turn up documentation for old service members. So far, more than 300 names have been confirmed.
To raise funds for the project, they've also been selling brick pavers, which will be installed on the walkway to the memorial. Those are engraved with the names of people who've paid at least $50. At Saturday's breakfast, they'd sold close to 20 more.
"We start next month, provided it dries up over there a little bit," Deiro said. "We've already contacted them, and they're ready to go. It's gone really well."
With half an hour left to go on the announced time, Saturday's breakfast had drawn more than 300 people.
"This was a real good show of support for that, and the post," said Post Commander Frank Ozanich.
Shannon's Home Cooking catered the event. Of the several meals she's cooked at the post, this was the first time they've run out of food and had to get more, Ozanich said.
"One of the best things we ever did was to get her involved, because she loves veterans," said Joe Finch of the post, who was still taking tickets for new diners. "She comes all the way from Ishpeming to do this."
Pavers will continue to be sold after mid-April, but purchasing one by then ensures it will be installed in the walkway when construction starts in May, Deiro said.
A dedication ceremony is planned for the new honor roll, but a date has not been set.