Fund-raiser held for Veterans Memorial

By Special to Bartlett Appeal
April 28, 2005

A fresh white cloth draped over a small dining table with a trifolded American flag, a flickering candle, an empty place setting, a vase with a single red rose, and an empty chair with the words "POW MIA" draped across its back immediately grabbed full attention.

The unaccompanied table sat between the American flag and the POW MIA flag, at center stage in front of the podium.

At the podium stood master of ceremonies Lee Buchschacher, who shed light on the meaning of the isolated table.

With powerful words, Buchschacher portrayed a touching metaphor that brought the table to life for many who attended the Veterans Memorial Vision fund-raiser at Bartlett Station Municipal Center. The empty chair and table awaited an MIA solider, with a lit candle to lead him home.

The room was filled with hundreds of supporters of the Veterans Memorial that, once completed, will display a 50-foot, five-point star configuration, representing each branch of the military, and also flagpoles for the American, Tennessee, Bartlett and MIA flags. Two bronze monuments in the plan will honor two Bartlett Medal of Honor recipients, Vernon McGarity and Walter Singleton.

To finish the project, approximately 800 bricks will have to be sold. A brick may be purchased for $100, which includes an engraving in honor or memory of a veteran. The memorial will be stationed in Veterans Park at Bartlett Boulevard and Bartlett Road.

Before the evening's event, approximately $14,000 had been collected.

Jay Bowen, American Legion district commander of Post 249, announced that they will not break ground on the project until they've collected the $60,000 needed to build the memorial. They hope to get private donations and sponsorships.

As the candle on the table continued to flicker, special honors and recognition were given to all the veterans in the audience including Vernon McGarity, Walter K. Singleton and Brandon Burns, all from Bartlett.

McGarity, who served in the Army during WWII, and Marine Burns, injured in Iraq on Nov. 8, when his unit was attacked by a sniper, were present. Singleton of the Marine Corps was killed in action in Vietnam. Singelton's family members were present.

Guest speakers included actor and former Marine Red West, Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner John Keys, former state representative Larry Scroggs, state Rep. Tre' Hargett and Sen. Mark Norris. Each spoke on the importance of recognizing veterans with this memorial in Bartlett. Some speakers included personal and emotional experiences that wars have etched forever in their hearts.

Melanie Horne, 12, daughter of David Horne and Gina Horne, sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and "Traveling Solider." David is a former Bartlett alderman and the Veterans Memorial Vision Committee director.

Also performing old familiar sounds such as "Over There," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Medley -- Service Anthems," were the USO singers, Kathryn Wright, Brandie Franklin and Angela Fredriksson, with Ed Bell on keyboards.

As the candle's flame flickered and the evening neared to a close, Mayor Keith McDonald took the podium. Leading by example, the Bartlett mayor purchased a brick for the memorial. He announced through an emotional moment that the brick was in honor of his father-in-law, Warren Pattison, who served in the Navy and in WWII. Pattison was born in Germantown and lives in West Memphis.

Donations can be sent to Veterans Memorial Vision, P.O. Box 342745, Bartlett, Tenn. 38134. For information, call 388-0741.