LANSING - More than a quarter of a century after the U.S. pulled out of the Vietnam War, Michigan soldiers who died in the conflict will be getting a lasting tribute.

Ceremonies are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 - Veterans' Day - for the dedication of the Michigan Vietnam Monument, a memorial to the 2,649 Michigan veterans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. More Michigan lives were lost as a percentage of the U.S. population in Vietnam than any other state in the nation.

Christman Co. is managing the project at Ottawa and Butler street, two blocks west of the State Capitol building. The monument consists of a curved110-foot steel beam that will cradle the names of the 2,649 deceased veterans.

"The entire project will be nearly complete by the time we dedicate it," said Keith King, project commissioner. "The most important part of this process is to get the names right."

Former President Gerald Ford and Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumous are expected to be among the dignitaries in attendance.

Getting the $3.2 million monument built has been no small feat. A state law adopted in 1992 established the one-acre monument site, and the design for the memorial was chosen from among 200 entries in a national competition. Private and public monies were used to fund the project, with the last $600,000 coming from a grant from the UAW.

Now, King said, any future money donated to the project will be used for maintenance of the site. He said project coordinators have learned lessons from other memorials, which have deteriorated because there was no money dedicated to their upkeep.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, send a check payable to the Michigan Vietnam Monument Commission, 611 West Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48913. For more information, call (517) 373-3131 or (800) 492-2649.

HERE'S A rendering of the monument.