Monette Veterans Park fundraiser held

The veterans park fundraiser, hosted by State Representatives David Wallace and Dan Sullivan, at the Monette City Park on June 24 proved to be a great success.

Rep. Dave Wallace and wife, Karen, and Rep. Dan Sullivan and wife, Marie, hosted the Veterans Park fundraising event in Monette.

"We were pleased to see families coming out to eat supper with us here at the park and learn about our plans for the new veterans park uptown," said Veterans Park Chairman Henrietta Qualls. "We knew from the beginning it was going to take a lot of work from a lot of people to build the monument to honor our veterans. We were so pleased that David and Dan offered to sponsor this fundraiser to raise awareness about the memorial and help us meet our financial goals."

A veteran himself, Wallace and his wife, the former Karen Grooms, of Monette, both worked to raise money to help build the Buffalo Island Veterans Memorial in Leachville. They both serve as civic leaders in Leachville, where they make their home.

"Veterans are very near and dear to my heart," Wallace said. "I get at least 50 calls every day about the Veterans Administration or Medicare. The needs are great and the questions are many. I am available and encourage everyone to call me."

Sullivan and his wife, the former Maria Stewart, of Monette, have a special interest in the veterans park effort, as it involves many family members. Maria's father Revis Stewart was a veteran, and they plan to have his name engraved on the Monette monument.

"This town and its people are very special to us," Sullivan said. "We have watched them start with nothing and work hard to raise money to erect this historic monument to honor veterans. We want to help in any way we can because this is a very worthy cause."

Wallace and Sullivan, and their wives, served free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks to the visitors who attended the 6-8 p.m. picnic at the park. Kenny Weathers of Caraway and Charles Brooks of Lake Cit, served as grill masters, keeping the hot dogs and hamburgers piping hot as visitors arrived.

Veterans park committee members were on hand to answer questions about the monument and to take donations. Forms were available for people to have a person's name engraved on the monument.

Deputy Circuit Clerk Lesia Couch and Rhonda Gipson gave away free sno cones, much to the delight of the young visitors.