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The Honorable Earl McKee <br /> Chairman, Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> 5200 Kiger Road <br /> Rougemont, NC 27572 <br /> Dear Commissioner McKee: <br /> On November 22, 2010, Colonel Fred Black, U.S. Army (Retired) and a Vietnam Veteran, then <br /> serving as the Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman, petitioned the Town Council to <br /> approve the siting of a proposed Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill at the Chapel Hill Memorial <br /> Cemetery. This request was approved and the Veterans Memorial Committee began the <br /> design phase. <br /> A preliminary concept design was developed and brought before the Town Council and <br /> approved in April 2013. <br /> This memorial is for all veterans and includes veterans in neighboring communities. We are <br /> now formulating the plan for project funding where we will solicit funds needed for memorial <br /> construction. <br /> Concurrent with our efforts, veterans, students, and families of veterans of Orange County <br /> have also asked the question, "Why don't we have a County Veterans Memorial?" That <br /> challenge has created an opportunity for the veterans of Chapel Hill to join with County <br /> veterans to build a noble memorial for the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County within <br /> Chapel Hill. We have shared our memorial's concept with Orange County veterans and it has <br /> been well received. <br /> This County Memorial may be a good and appropriate fit for the Orange County Southern <br /> Human Services complex on Homestead Rd. Space for a memorial on the "homestead" site <br /> area may be available. The Veterans Committee has looked at this alternate site and, if <br /> available, would provide a premiere location for a Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill. It is well- <br /> suited for a memorial on the upper hillside. There is ample parking, public transportation, and <br /> the center is frequently visited by both Chapel Hill and County citizens. <br /> I share this information with you now, as we have been asked to consider combining efforts. <br /> The county will soon be asked about a memorial and an appropriate site. We think that <br /> Homestead Road site in Chapel Hill would be well-served to be the home for a veterans' <br /> memorial for the veterans of Orange County. <br /> Most respectfully, <br /> JIM MERRITT BRUCE RUNBERG <br /> Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman Co-Chairman <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the members of the Veterans Memorial Committee would <br /> stand and be recognized. Commissioner Price said there are also some Committee members <br /> from the Northern and Central parts of the County that have joined in this effort. She thanked <br /> them for their service in general, and specifically for their work on this Memorial. <br />