The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Raritan Veterans Memorial will be dedicated at the Raritan Cemetery, Sunday, May 30, at 3:00 p.m.
On January 9, 2008, Henderson County Reads started a fund for the Raritan Veterans Memorial.
Financing of this project would be by donations of those wishing to honor a veteran by purchasing a brick. Each brick purchased would be engraved with the veterans name, military branch, years of service, and etc.
These bricks that have been purchased are inlaid at the base of the memorial.
Money was also raised by holding a, "Beans and Banjos" event last fall. A ham and bean supper was served and the Central Illinois Banjo Club performed at the Opera House.
This past spring, a soup supper was held to help with the expenses and a 50/50 drawing was held at this event, and the winner of the drawing donated all of the money they had won to the Memorial project.
Paula Stull of Raritan made fleece blankets honoring the four branches of the military. A drawing for these blankets helped raise money.
Donations from concerned citizens, friends, and businesses also helped finance this Very special Veterans Memorial.
The committee would like to invite everyone to the dedication on Sunday, May 30th, followed by a reception at the Raritan Opera House. This is the committee's way to thank everyone for their generous support in this project.
Please bring lawn chairs for the dedication ceremony at the cemetery. Due to the limited parking area at the cemetery, a shuttle bus will run from the Opera House to the cemetery.
This day is also the 15th anniversary of the devastating tornado that hit the village of Raritan on May 13, 1995, and which inflicted major damage to the Raritan Cemetery.
For more information, please feel free to contact Chairman Jim Blender at 309-746-6239.