Ground-breaking set for Saturday

HARTINGTON — Even though some COVID-19 restrictions had to be put in place, the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Hartington Area Veterans’ Memorial is still set for 4 p.m., Saturday.

The ground-breaking event will feature a relatively short ceremony with eight individuals turning over the first shovels of dirt to officially begin construction of the new memorial.

The eight individuals include: Ben and Erin Schroeder who donated the land; Hartington Mayor Mark Becker; Hartington VFW Commander Dean McGregor; Hartington American Legion and AmVets Commander Bill Christensen; Cedar County Veterans Services Officer Scott Stanton; Dale Powers, President of Plainview Monument; and Dan Kathol, Hartington Veterans Memorial Project Manager.

Kathol said area residents are welcome to come to the short ceremony to observe this important milestone, but they are asked to practice proper social distancing.

“Later this summer, a full presentation and reception is being planned for the public to attend to kick off the major fundraising campaign for the veterans memorial,” Kathol said.

He said fundraising has already “somewhat begun with the veteran sponsor and adoption campaign and some early major donations.”