North Las Vegas plans memorial to veterans, first responders
Military veterans, police officers and firefighters will be honored by a memorial under development in North Las Vegas, but it’s still unclear what it will look like.
Several ideas have emerged, including an eternal flame, marble statues and a pair of bright blue lights shooting straight into sky.
While suggestions are still being sketched out, city officials hope to unveil the memorial by September 2018 on the east side of Craig Ranch Regional Park.
“The sky’s the limit right now with the design because we’re bouncing around all kind of ideas,” said North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Pamela Goynes-Brown, whose Ward 2 includes the park.
The North Las Vegas City Council green-lighted the project on Wednesday, with a formal announcement expected Saturday during the Military and Veterans Appreciation Day event at Craig Ranch Regional Park.
The project will be spearheaded by the nonprofit Armed Forces and Military Veterans Appreciation Inc., which will seek donations to pay for the memorial.
The group started holding the military appreciation event several years ago, but wanted to find a way to pay lasting tribute to veterans and first responders.
“We want to create something that is consistent with the serene setting at Craig Ranch Regional Park, a place where we can sit, reflect and pay tribute to the people who serve our country,” said North Las Vegas Councilman Richard Cherchio, who also serves as chairman of Armed Forces and Military Veterans Appreciation Inc.
Cherchio said the group is trying to get a piece of New York’s World Trade Center, which collapsed when the twin towers were struck by jetliners during the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
Emblems of every military branch might also adorn the memorial, along with symbols representing police officers and firefighters.
“In this day and age, when so many of our first responders are vilified in the media, it’s nice that appreciation is shown by the city for those first responders who are out there actually saving lives every day,” said Mike Yarter, president of the North Las Vegas Police Officers Association, which represents about 300 law enforcement officers.
Contact Art Marroquin at amarroquin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0336. Find @AMarroquin_LV on Twitter.
Free event honors military
Food and live music will highlight the third annual Military and Veterans Appreciation Day, set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas.
The free event, honors the region’s service members, veterans and first responders. A special “Welcome Home” tribute will mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Veterans of the Vietnam War will receive commemorative coins.
The event is sponsored by the city and the nonprofit Armed Forces and Military Veterans Appreciation Inc.
Free event honors military
Food and live music will highlight the third annual Military and Veterans Appreciation Day, set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas.
The free event, honors the region’s service members, veterans and first responders. A special “Welcome Home” tribute will mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Veterans of the Vietnam War will receive commemorative coins.
The event is sponsored by the city and the nonprofit Armed Forces and Military Veterans Appreciation Inc.
