Rendering courtesy of BrightView Landscape
The SCC Veterans Memorial will be located at 1910 Pebble Beach Blvd. South, Sun City Center. The committee is making a community appeal to raise the last $17,700 needed to cover the total cost so they can start construction.
SCC Veterans Memorial fund needs $17,700 before breaking ground
By PHYLLIS HODGES
The good news is that bids are in and contractors are ready to start on the Veterans Memorial that will honor veterans of Greater Sun City Center. The not-so-good news is that the construction quote of $202,000 exceeds the $184,300 that has been raised. The SCC Veterans Memorial Committee is reluctant to begin construction until they have the remaining amount in hand. That translates into an eleventh-hour community appeal for that last $17,700 to get the project underway.
“From the beginning, we targeted the completion date in early November (2018) so it could be dedicated around Veterans Day,” said Walt Cawein, who chairs the committee. He is also president of the SCC Charitable Foundation that is spearheading the project. “We have sold 467 bricks, which represent tributes to a tiny percentage of our veterans. We are still hearing from people just now becoming aware of the project or are procrastinating in ordering a brick. We need those people to act now.” He pointed out that with a targeted population of about 23,000 and hundreds of veterans, the committee is optimistic about raising the needed funds—eventually — but they recognize that delays are pushing the November completion date.
The committee announced the proposed memorial in November 2017 to honor former, current and future SCC family veterans who have served in the U.S. military — Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and World War II Merchant Marines. Commending the community for its support, Cawein said, “Compared to the time it has taken for other communities to raise funds for such a memorial, we have done a phenomenal job to get to where we are today in less than a year. About 600 individuals, businesses, clubs and organizations have either purchased an engraved brick or donated money. Some have done both.”
Generally, bricks naming individual veterans can be purchased by — or for — any SCC Community Association, Kings Point or Freedom Plaza resident (past or present). Members of the local military organizations, regardless of where they live, can also buy veteran-specific bricks. Bricks do not have to name specific veterans; they can be purchased by any individual or group if they in some way honor veterans. Two sizes are available: 4 by 8 inches ($100) and 8 by 8 inches ($200 or $215 with service symbol). This is an ongoing project, so as bricks are sold after the memorial’s completion, they will replace blank bricks in the foundation.
The Veterans Memorial will include a U.S. flag, a Florida state flag and each of the five U.S. military flags, a 6-foot eagle mounted on black granite, a sculpture of a Belgian Malinois war dog named Warlock and benches. The foundation will be 8,000 bricks, many engraved with names of veterans and area individuals and organizations that are supporting the project.
Tax-deductible donations can be made, or a brick order form obtained by visiting the Sun City Center Charitable Foundation’s website (www.charitablefoundationscc.org). Order forms are also available at the SCC Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Association Library and many community events. Donations (in any amount) can also be mailed to: SCC Charitable Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 6105, Sun City Center, FL 33571. Cawein invites anyone needing more information to call him at 813-340-0533, or email him at waltcawein@gmail.com.
