Purple Heart monument fund-raiser nearing goal

The fund-raising drive for construction of a monument in Linscott Park to honor Jackson County’s Purple Heart Medal recipients is within sight of its goal, according to Mike McManigal, director of American Legion Riders Post 44 in Holton.

“The public has responded nicely,” McManigal said. “We need slightly less than $1,000 to reach the goal of $25,000.”

Last week, it was reported that The Legion Riders, in conjunction with Holton American Legion Post 44, the Sons of the American Legion and Holton VFW Post 1367, were shooting for at least $22,000 of the $25,000 needed for construction of the monument.

With the amount raised so far, McManigal estimated that construction of the new monument could begin and be completed in time for a Memorial Day unveiling.

The group’s plan is to build a monument that lists and honors Jackson County veterans who have received the Purple Heart Medal, which is given to military personnel who are wounded or killed in the line of active military duty. 

McManigal said the list of Purple Heart recipients to be placed on the monument is growing, but anyone wanting to have a friend or family member who is not on the list — and who is from Jackson County — is urged to contact him by Friday. Other missing information about Purple Heart recipients continues to be sought, he added.

Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent to the American Legion, P.O. Box 184, Holton, KS 66436. For more information, to suggest a name for the list or to receive an order form, contact McManigal at 364-3131.

A list of Purple Heart recipients from Jackson County to be honored on the memorial will be printed in an upcoming edition of The Holton Recorder.