April 25, 2011
04/26/11 This month Marshall County Veteran’s Service Officer Josh Wakeland appeared before the County Commissioners seeking approval to make improvement to the War Memorial at the south east corner of the Court House.
Wakeland explained that he is working with Price’s Nursery to design a landscaping project that will help bring visibility to site. He said, “So many people pass by it and don’t even know what it is.” The enhancements would be paid by raising funds with no cost to the county.
Plans including removing all of the overgrown bushes and replacing them with appropriate landscaping that will attract attention. He also plans to add flag poles, a bench so people can sit a rest or reflect and even paver bricks.
There are a couple of concrete planters on the site that were donated in memory of someone many years ago. No one seems to know who or when but Wakeland plans on refurbishing them and using them in the new landscape design.
The Marshall County Commissioners gave their blessing to the project and asked the Veterans Service Officer to work with the County Building and Grounds maintenance department on the project.
County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer also indicated that the Commissioners and Council will have to consider moving the position of Veterans Service Officer from part-time to full-time in next year’s budget. He said the amount of clients Wakeland is working with is staggering. It is not uncommon for Josh to have veterans waiting for his assistance and many times he will be working with 5 to 10 walk-ins each day.