The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Blandinsivlle… While doing some weed control at the Blandinsville-Good Hope-Sciota Veterans Memorial, August 15th, Lynn Dougherty, member of the Veterans Memorial Committee, noticed some items setting in front of the monuments.
In front of the south monument was a package containing a boxed Star Wars coin, a boxed Star Trek coin, a silver 1971 Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands coin, and a receipt for the Star Wars and Star Trek coins, with price listed as $99 each. The name, address and phone number of the purchaser were also on the receipt.
In front of the north monument was an unopened can of Diet Pepsi setting on top of an unopened pack of American Spirit cigarettes. There were also coins on two memorial benches that totaled 70 cents.
Lynn was puzzled. He called Carol Reed, Chairperson of the Veterans Memorial Committee, and told her about the items. She was also puzzled. Lynn gave Carol the information from the receipt. She called the number and spoke to the benefactor, Kenneth, who lives in Arlington, Texas. He had indeed left the items at the memorial. Kenneth told Carol that he was passing through Blandinsville and saw the sign for the Veterans Memorial. Carol asked him if he had a connection to Blandinsville or to any of the veterans. He did not. He said he stopped to check it out and was very impressed with the Veterans Memorial. He said he decided to leave the items as a tribute to the veterans.
Carol thanked Kenneth for his generosity. He suggested that they sell the items and donate the proceeds to the Veterans Memorial fund. At the recent committee meeting the members agreed.
Recent improvements at the memorial include the addition of the US Space Force flag and the reconfiguration of the other six service flags to accommodate the Space Force flag.