A $10,000 contribution from the Naperville Park District pushes construction of the Gold Star Families Memorial monument in Naperville’s Veterans Park a little closer to its $77,000 fundraising goal.
Kelli Pendleton Christian County magistrates learned about the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument that will be placed on Fort Campbell later this year during their Tuesday morning meeting. Christian County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelli Pendleton said the idea for the monument came after meeting and becoming friends with a Gold Star Wife in Utah. Pendleton was shocked to learn Fort Campbell did not have one.
Naperville events grants OK d, but questions about reassigning unused funds arise
The Naperville Jaycees Last Fling event, held annually in September, is among the largest grant recipients through this year s Special Events Cultural Amenities program. John Starks | Staff Photographer, 2019
Posted3/4/2021 5:10 AM A Fourth of July celebration, an LGBTQ+ pride festival and a new memorial honoring the families of fallen military personnel are among dozens of Naperville initiatives set to receive funding this year through the Special Events Cultural Amenities program. The city council s allocation of $879,009 to various cultural, social and artistic entities Tuesday largely follows the guidance of the advisory SECA Commission. The panel s recommendation, however, included awards for two St. Patrick s Day-themed events recently canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis, prompting council members to redistribute those funds and sparking a conversation about how future underspending should be handled.
1 of 2 LEFT: Gold Star monuments, such as this one recently added to the state Capitol complex, are meant to educate the general public about Gold Star familiesâ enduring sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifice made by their loved ones. RIGHT: At the center of the tribute is a silhouette of a saluting service member, which represents the legacy of the loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Photos courtesy of West Virginia Press Association Courtesy photo | West Virginia Press Association