The proposed Whitehall Township veterans memorial, planned for the municipal building grounds, is gaining momentum. The committee has prepared a sketch on what the memorial will look like and is ready to launch a major fundraising campaign for the project.

Spearheaded by the American Legion Posts in Hokendauqua and Fullerton, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Egypt and interested citizens, and with the township’s cooperation, the project planning began in June 2015 and has accelerated to raising money to make the long-sought veterans memorial a reality.

Egypt VFW Post Commander Dennis Makovsky, in crediting the committee for the progress it has made thus far, said the next phase is raising the $50,000-$60,000 necessary for the veterans monument to be erected.

Joe Kornfeind of Kornfeind’s Market, North Whitehall Township, just north of Egypt, is a major part of the first fundraiser. The committee will sell $5 coupons that entitle customers to receive a 20-percent discount on their purchase of groceries, meats and other items at the store March 5 and 6.

The committee has received $1,000 in donations from the VFW Post in Egypt and the American Legion Post in Hokendauqua.

A gazebo also was donated for the veterans memorial.

As its centerpiece, the veterans memorial will have a large granite monument with an inscription honoring township men and women who served in the military during times of both war and peace.

A yard arm flagpole, which will be lighted at night, will fly the American flag and the POW/MIA flag. The horizontal pole will consist of six military service flags, and five memorial lighted pylons will signify the five branches of military service.

Four benches will be placed near the memorial.

The gazebo will be dedicated to families who have lost loved ones.

Brick pavers are also planned for the site. The public will be able to buy a brick and have the name of a family member etched on it.

“We are looking to dedicate the veterans memorial on Memorial Day 2017,” Makovsky said.