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In the know with
Veterans Memorial Advisory Group
By Jaime Calder PHOTO BY JAIME CALDER
The Veterans Memorial Advisory Group will dedicate two of their 14 new Italian
Honor. Cypress trees at the Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11.
For many, it is a word heavy with meaning. veterans, battalions, units, squadrons Veterans Memorial Steering Committee
Perhaps no place knows this better than and ships were sold at a cost of $75 each. was dissolved and the Veterans Memorial
Georgetown, Texas, where the veteran The group worked with Georgetown Advisory Group created in its stead.
population is twice the national average. Mayor Gary Nelon, who challenged the
Whether they learned through training or entire city to buy at least one brick, and “We don’t offer any services,” says VMAG
by example, citizens of Georgetown know solicited donations from local businesses. Chairman George Celis. “Veterans’
honor is a way of life. It is the way we They negotiated discounts with brick benefits, ID cards – we don’t do those
run our businesses, support our schools companies and general contractors, and things. We oversee the memorial.”
and greet our neighbors. It is the way we even managed to acquire crucial items
strengthen our relationships, raise our such as limestone and concrete free of The group’s focus is simple, but efficient.
children and appreciate our elders. It is charge. By the beginning of 2003, the Working directly with Executive Director
the way we celebrate, the way we mourn, VMSC had exceeded its fundraising Jim Romine and Director of Finance Ann
the way we persevere and, perhaps most goals, and on Memorial Day of that year, Dodson, VMAG conducts ceremonies,
importantly, the way we remember. the Veterans Memorial Plaza as we know advises the CA on veteran-specific topics
it today came into being. and facilitates further developments
For one group based in Sun City Texas, on the plaza. Most recently, the group
honor is, quite literally, everything. Having reached their objective, the VMSC planted 14 Italian cypress trees behind the
Operating under the auspices of the was now faced with a question: who would memorial wall. Two of these trees will be
Property and Grounds Committee, the manage the memorial? A unique fixture dedicated during the upcoming Veterans
Veterans Memorial Advisory Group in Sun City Texas, the Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony – an event which is also
(VMAG) is not a chartered club, nor is Plaza serves all citizens of Georgetown overseen by the group.
it an interest group. Its members are not and Williamson County, not just residents
even exclusive to Sun City. Rather, this of the community. As it honors those who Though we can never begin to repay our
group – comprised entirely of veterans and have served and sacrificed for this nation, veterans for all they have given, we can
unique in its focus – is dedicated entirely to use of the memorial should be reserved for honor them. We can thank them. And
upholding the sanctity of the Georgetown- appropriate activities. Finally, because thanks to the continual efforts of the
Williamson County Veterans Memorial the funds which maintain the memorial Veterans Memorial Advisory Group, our
Plaza. are entirely independent from Community gratitude can be written in stone.
Association funds, oversight of those funds
Organized in 2002, VMAG was initially should be kept separate as well. If you are a veteran interested in joining
known as the Veterans Memorial the Veterans Memorial Advisory Group,
Steering Committee (VMSC), a name With these considerations in mind, the please contact Chairman George Celis at
which reflected the group’s original [email protected] or 512-943-9225.
purpose: the fundraising, planning and
production of a veterans’ memorial in ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
Sun City Texas. Proposed in 2001 by
retired Navy Commander and Sun City
Texas resident Bob Kelety, the idea of
a veterans’ memorial was immediately
embraced. Turning this concept into a
reality, however, would require much
work. Funding for the entire project was
required before construction could begin,
and at a cost of $200,000, reaching their
goal would be no minor task.
Fortunately, this was no minor group.
Manned by Stan Brandenburg, Bob
Kelety, Doug Kienitz, John Wood and
chaired by Chuck Graham, the VMSC
began fundraising in earnest in May 2002.
Commemorative bricks memorializing
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