CAMDENTON, Mo. — Officials are moving forward with a plan to honor veterans with a monument at the Camdenton Memorial Lake Regional Airport. But the source of the stone (granite) the city will use is still up in the air.
Mayor McNabb, City Administrator J. Jeff Hancock, and members of the Veterans’ Memorial committee met with Atchison Monuments and Granite of Clinton, Mo. on Monday, July 20, 1915 at City Hall. Company representatives offered information about finishes and materials for the monument to be installed at the airport in recognition of all those who have served in one of the five branches of the military.
During extensive and occasionally heated discussions about changing the name of the City’s airport, Aldermen and citizens were monolithic on one point: the airport needs a monument representing the meaning behind the word memorial. Mayor McNabb acted upon that point of agreement. He appointed a committee and charged its members with bringing a design and cost information before the Board of Aldermen for their consideration and approval.
CAMDENTON, Mo. — Last fall, the City of Camdenton heard impassioned public comments during i…
McNabb hopes the Committee will complete its work and make a recommendation in time for a public announcement and groundbreaking on Airport grounds, September 11, 2015. Although the monument cannot be erected by then, a rendering of the monument would be made available.
Atchison agreed with local concrete companies that have recommended a concrete monument for its strength and durability, and Atchison signaled its willingness to partner with a concrete company. Atchison’s role is in advising, providing, and installing the Committee’s design on granite panels that will adhere to the concrete structure.
Committee members learned about the types and varied costs of granite available. Jet Black granite, for example, exported from China, is an excellent stone for laser-design, but it is also the most expensive granite choice. Moreover, committee members were reluctant to use an imported material. Several stated their desire to use U. S. materials for a monument honoring U. S. military forces, past and present.
Missouri Red is another granite quarried near Lake of the Ozarks, and Committee members directed Atchison to bring samples of this stone for their consideration at their next meeting, August 3, 2015, 6:30 p.m.
READER POLL: What Kind Of Granite Should Be Used For The Monument? [click to take poll]
The committee will also see samples of Dakota Mahogany, Georgia Gray, and American Black as well as brass finishes with and without patina. The committee will meet outdoors at the airport to see how the samples look in the light and setting where they will be used before moving inside to finalize their design and plans.
Atchison will provide cost estimates for each type of granite, brass lettering with and without patina, a 15-foot flag pole, and a 4 x 6 foot flag. The addition and height of the flag pole must be approved by the FAA, but preliminary research has shown that 15-feet will be the maximum height for a pole at Camdenton’s airport.
Before the next meeting, City officials may consult with a structural engineer and confer with concrete companies.
