Local veterans who previously have or currently are serving their country soon will be honored in Long County with the placement of a decorative granite memorial near the Ludowici Well Pavilion and Rose Garden.
Marvin Deloach, who serves on the committee to build the Long County Veterans Memorial, said plans are under way.
“We have needed something in Long County for a long time honoring those who have served in our military,” he said. “We will also have an American flag on display, and when it’s completed it will be something that the entire community will be proud of.”
Planning for the memorial is in the early stages, Deloach said, and the committee needs donations to help fund the project.  
“We’re going to need somewhere in the range of $40,000 to $50,000 for this project. We are encouraging businesses and individuals to come forward and make a donation toward it,” he said.
Community members who donate $50 can have the name of a veteran etched onto the memorial. Businesses or individuals who donate at least $250 will have their names or their business name placed at the memorial on a sponsor stone.
“There will be the veterans memorial and in the same area, there will also be a separate stone placed with those businesses and individuals who sponsor the project. The good thing about a donation is that it is a one-time gift, but the name of the business or the person will always be on the stones,” Deloach said.
He said the names of veterans who were prisoners of war, missing in action or killed in action will have a place of distinction on the memorial, and no donations will be necessary for inclusion of those soldiers.
Deloach said he and a few members of the community meet monthly to work on the project, and they encourage community members to attend and share ideas.
“We need ideas on how to raise the funds for the project,” he said. “If people have any input, we are welcoming it.”
Deloach said the project should be completed within two years. If the money is raised sooner, though, the completion date will be moved up. Anyone interested in donating or helping with project plans can pick up registration/donation forms at the Ludowici branch of The Heritage Bank, the Altamaha Federal Credit Union, the Ludowici Bank, the Ludowici Farm Bureau Office and Town and Country Florist and Tanning.
For more information on the Long County Veterans Memorial, call Deloach at 545-2706.