Sunday, February 10, 2008

Donations Sought for Veteran's Memorial Marker

Donations are now being collected for a Veteran's Memorial Marker to be placed at Dycusburg this summer.

The granite marker will honor both the living and fallen soldiers from the Dycusburg area.

The project is being headed up by community members who organized in October into a group called the Dycusburg Community Committee. Among the group's goals are to assemble regularly to identify projects that will help the community advance.

Like many river towns, Dycusburg had a bad reputation because of the less-than-desirable folks who traveled through here on steamboats during Dycusburg's heyday in the 1800s and early 1900s. But, on the whole, we are a much different town now, the committee said.

"It's been nearly 100 years since the roughest days of Dycusburg, and yet we are still working to shake that reputation. We want Dycusburg to become known as a clean, reputable and desirable charming little community to live," the committee explained.

Dycusburg was shaken last year when Spc. Chase Matthews was wounded north of Baghdad, Iraq, when his Humvee rolled over an improvised explosive device. Matthews was driving the scout vehicle for fuel tankers headed south on the main supply route from Baghdad to Basra.

The committee continued, "We think this is an honorable way to recognize the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line every day for the country. Some from around Dycusburg paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we want to acknowledge that with this beautiful marker."

The marker will cost approximately $1,500 and the Dycusburg Community Committee is soliciting donations. These can be mailed to Dycusburg Community Fund, c/o Barbara Ethridge, Treasurer, 841 Owens Rd., Marion, KY 42064. Checks should be made to "DCF."

A dedication ceremony will take place this July.

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