Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI (1888PressRelease)
November 14, 2007 - On a beautiful November day, organizers completed the first major step toward a dream that started a few short months ago. As America paused to remember those who have sacrificed, Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial organizers are thrilled with a donation from a local Eden Prairie Veteran.
Veteran’s day in Eden Prairie was highlighted by the generous donation of Eden Prairie resident Ed Flaherty who has pledged $100,000 as a Leadership Challenge to complete the memorial. With this pledge, the EPVM organizers are now 2/3rd of the way to their goal of $300,000.
Flaherty who is a Vietnam-Era Veteran said “I thought the memorial would be a wonderful tribute to those that have served and those that may serve in the future.” “This is also a wonderful vehicle to educate young people on the sacrifices made by veterans that enable us to live with the freedoms and lifestyle we enjoy”, said Flaherty, owner of Lariat Companies, Inc. The donation will be matched dollar for dollar from this point forward for donations up to $100,000; therefore it still requires a final $100,000 be raised.
Flaherty served in the US Army from 1967 to 1969 during the height the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Most of his tour was serving at the Pentagon under then Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Flaherty worked on a special team that was known as “McNamara’s whiz kids.”
“We are extremely touched by Mr. Flaherty’s generosity to our memorial”, said John E. Mallo, Chairperson of the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial. Organizers are hopeful that they can break ground in the spring of 2008. “With all the support we have received from the community, we are very close, but to benefit from Mr. Flaherty’s pledge, we definitely need the additional contributions from businesses and citizens to achieve the full $300K”, said Mallo. He encouraged donors to send in their contributions now!
More information on the Memorial, including the proposed plan can be found at: http://www.epveteransmemorial.org.
Remember Your Veterans. Donate to the Memorial.
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