Staff Reports

Looking forward to warmer days in the spring, the City of Columbia City extends an invitation to the community to participate in the enhancement of the Veterans Monument at Patriotic Park. More engraved bricks will soon be added to the monument, providing a meaningful opportunity to honor or memorialize the Veterans in our lives.

A recent contributor shared their experience, emphasizing the simplicity and speed of the process. They commemorated a loved one’s service with a personally engraved brick, acknowledging that the only challenging aspect was deciding on the perfect words for the tribute.

For $20 per brick, sold at cost, contributors can inscribe up to three lines of text on each brick, with installation included in the price. Notably, the City clarifies that they are not profiting from this initiative — the aim is solely to enrich the monument and pay homage to the Veterans who have selflessly served.

To participate in this meaningful project and secure a spot for your engraved brick, orders can be placed here for the upcoming spring installation. It’s a chance to contribute to a lasting tribute while enjoying a hassle-free process.

The City also provided an update on bricks purchased in the previous year, assuring the community that they have been received and are slated for installation as soon as the spring thaw allows. Unfortunately, last year’s bricks arrived late in the fall when the ground was too cold for immediate installation.

Veterans being honored do not necessarily have to be from Columbia City or Whitley County. This open invitation welcomes contributions from anyone wishing to pay their respects to Veterans, transcending geographical boundaries.

Let’s come together as a community to enhance the Veterans Monument at Patriotic Park and create a lasting tribute that reflects our collective gratitude for the sacrifices made by our Veterans.

To place an order, visit https://bricksrus.com/donorsite/whitleycountyveterans