STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — A new Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Stevens Point on Monday.
The Guns N’ Hoses of Portage County helped commission the $90,000 stone memorial which features logos of five of the six branches of the armed forces. The center stone is flanked by two smaller stones that feature a kneeling firefighter and police officer, which organizer Traci Tauferner says is designed to extend the Guns N’ Hoses message of first responders supporting Vets beyond their annual September softball game. “We realized there were no memorials inclusive of all Veterans,” said Tauferner. “So we set out a mission to create a monument that [was] inclusive of all branches from all eras.”
That means the memorial is for anyone who has signed up to serve in the armed forces, whether they have seen action in combat or served in a homeland security role. “The opportunity to serve our country takes on many different levels. There is homeland security and service [overseas] as well, whatever that mission may be.
Veterans Memorial in Stevens Point. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
“The brave men and women who stand up to do that is something we should honor,” added Tauferner.
Fire Chief JB Moody agrees that having a year-round reminder of the Guns N’ Hoses mission is a worthy cause. “People will have an opportunity to come down and look at the monument and realize what we are doing as a community for those people. It’s something that is going to stand the test of time on the waterway of the Wisconsin River so we don’t ever forget those who served.
The memorial features logos for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The sixth space on the stone is reserved for the logo of the Space Force, which will be added at a later date. Both Moody and Tauferner said it is important that all branches be recognized.
“It’s for everyone. It’s for the members of the military who have served; the Veterans and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” added Moody.
“You see police officers and firefighters on this monument because that’s the foundation of the Guns N’ Hoses organization; taking our firefighter and law enforcement professionals and working together to service the Veterans in our community,” said Tauferner.
The memorial is located in Pfiffner Pioneer Park, just behind Chase Bank at 1100 Crosby Avenue.
Sponsor acknowledgement for Stevens Point Veteran’s Memorial. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
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