The construction of a Veterans Memorial downtown is one step closer thanks to a generous donation from Metro Appliances and More, according to Jerry Burton, commander of Pea Ridge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8109.
"We are extremely grateful for the donation from Metro Builders Supply," Burton said. "With the contribution, we will start collecting names to put on the monument. It costs $100 per name."
Burton said names of veterans from any branch of the service or time period, along with the branch of the military and their time of service will be placed on the monument.
"Anyone who served the country is eligible to be on the monument," Burton said, adding that he has already had a request from a relative of a veteran from the Battle of Pea Ridge.
Mark Howell presented the $5,000 check toward the memorial to Burton. Howell, chief of operations for Metro Appliances, is a retired U.S. Army veteran and was formerly Chief Warrant Officer Four, serving as personal security officer to David Petraeus, commanding general at Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan.
"Metro Appliances & More is proud to be a part of this Memorial to honor the veterans of Post 8109," Judy Billyeu, corporate marketing director of Metro Appliances & More, said.
Howell also announced the construction of a new Metro location in Lowell, Ark. The estimated $9 million project is scheduled to be completed in early 2017. With eight additional stores in four states, Metro employs approximately 350 people, many of them veterans themselves.
General News on 12/16/2015