Michigan Vietnam Monument on track

The last piece in the funding puzzle for the Michigan Vietnam Monument has fallen into place.

A Feb. 26 press conference announced the confirmation of the release of bid documents for the $3.2 million monument, which will be constructed in Lansing to honor the 2,649 Michigan residents who were killed in the Vietnam War. Ground could be broken on the project as soon as Memorial Day, May 28, 2001, with completion possibly taking place six months later.

When it looked like funding for the memorial would not materialize, monument commissioner Keith King approached UAW Region 1, which responded with a pledge to fill a $600,000 funding gap.

The monument consists of a curved110-foot steel beam that will cradle the names of the 2,649 deceased veterans. Union labor will build the project, which will be managed by the Chrisman Co.

"The release of this contract means that we have begun the final phase of our mission," said Charles Merz, chairman of the monument's design and construction committee. "Michigan will have a world-class monument to honor its Vietnam veterans in our State Capitol."

King said private and public money has been donated to build the project, but the real concern now is establishing a fund for maintenance. Those who raised money to build the national

Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington learned the hard way that government appropriations - if there are any - are not always sufficient to maintain a monument constantly exposed to the elements.

So in Michigan, the commission is making an extra effort to continue raising money to establish a fund for the preservation of the monument. For more information or to donate time or money for the monument, call project coordinator Cynthia Riddle at (517) 373-3130. The organization's website is www.2649.org.

Participants sought for hockey league

The Metro Detroit area building trades are discussing the possibility of starting an organized hockey league, similar to the Building Trades Softball League. The league is in its early development. Inquires have been made at Troy and Hazel Park ice arenas for fall league availability.

Other rinks are currently being contacted for fall league ice times and availability.

Look for future updates at our web site: http://communities.msn.com/ DetroitMetroAreaBuildingTrades HockeyLeague/homepage.

We are looking for team organizers from every trade interested. Those who feel they would like to be a representative for their respective trade, contact: Dave Reginek, (248) 437-1097, or Jeff Walters (248) 628-8461 (after 5 p.m.) E-mail to: tradesmenhockey@ hotmail.com.