Veterans Memorial in Cairo being repaired, relocated after flooding caused damage
Trending
CAIRO -- After sustaining damage from recent flooding, the Veterans Memorial in Cairo is being repaired and will be moved to a safer location.
Since 2017, the memorial needed work done but with the damage to the retaining wall Feb. 28, that project became more of a necessity.
The day after the damage, former Cairo resident Tim Cantwell of TC Towing and Repair came on the scene to assess the situation, according to a release from D.J. Allen, Ritchie County Veterans Memorial coordinator.
For over 20 years, the Veterans Memorial has recognized people for their service to the country by displaying bricks with their names and dates of service on a property owned by the Cairo Masonic Lodge #14.
"Volunteers helped build the wall with layers of cut stones on top of the ones already there from when the railroad was in town," the release said.
Cairo Volunteer Fire Department Chief Zach Foster said the location of the memorial is prone to flooding.
"The way it's laid out, it doesn't have very good drainage there and it has just built up over the years," he said.
The Cairo Masonic Temple #14 offered its land along Main Street by its new building which is the former Union Bank building.
"There, the monument would be more visible and have a final resting place that was more secure," the release said.
Over the years, several options were discussed and researched among the Veterans Memorial Committee and it was thought the wall could be lifted but it would not fix the problem, the release said.
In order to remove the wall and relocate it, the cost would be between $50,000 to $100,000.
"The Veterans Memorial Committee has met several times over the years, planning and trying to ascertain the best option," the release said.
After attempting to contact state officials, a local legislator and veteran officials, Allen was told to approach local veterans for help.
"(Allen) always explained she felt they had done their duty by serving our country," the release said.
Charles "Butch" Lonas, a member of Ritchie Post 3554, came forward and made a donation towards the recovery efforts.
When the retaining wall collapsed after the rainfall, state officials were contacted again and the committee is awaiting special emergency funds.
For the time being, TC Towing and Repair began work on raising the concrete pad the memorial sits on.
While this project was underway, Ron and D.J. Allen and Lonas removed the honor bricks which will be cleaned and placed back into the monument following construction.
The new location was prepped and the water leaks were repaired but the work is not yet finished.
"Although there are still many stages of work to be done to complete the project, this was one of the most important-and it was completed in one day, just five days after the wall collapsed, to which all are grateful for the quick action taken by a local man and his crew to assist in this project," the release said.
Donations toward the monument recovery can be sent to Ritchie County Veterans Memorial at P.O. Box 312, Cairo, WV. For more information about purchasing a brick for a Ritchie County resident who served in the military, write to the above address for an order form.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.