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Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial grant moves campaign closer to goal

Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc. (FVM) has secured a $25,000 grant from America in Bloom and Canadian National Railway (CN) to fund its Veterans’ Wall of Honor landscaping efforts.

FVM expects to construct the $100,000 Veterans’ Wall of Honor on a 9,500 square foot parcel owned by CN and located north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks that will provide a tribute to all current and former Flossmoor residents who are serving or have served our nation’s Armed Forces.

With the grant, the campaign is at about 90% of its goal.

The “EcoConnexions From the Ground Up” grant, underwritten by CN and administered by America in Bloom, supports collaborative community greening projects that enhance landscapes in communities neighboring CN rail lines.  Since 2014, CN and America in Bloom have awarded 95 community grants totaling $2.3 million. Matching grants of up to $25,000 are awarded to these communities through a competitive application process.

“FVM’s application was extremely well-constructed, with evidence of a meaningful project that will improve the quality of life in Flossmoor,” said Laura Kunkle, America in Bloom’s Executive Director.  “Eight of this year’s 10 award recipients were municipalities, with FVM being one of only two non-municipal winners.  It’s clear from FVM’s partnership with the Village of Flossmoor that this project meets and exceeds our grant criteria.”

Retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, who serves as FVM’s president, agreed.  

“Since the launch of our Wall of Honor project in 2021, we’ve stayed focused on the mission of honoring Flossmoor veterans of all eras as well as educating the community on the important contributions Flossmoor residents have made to our village.  We’re delighted that this grant recognizes the impact the Flossmoor Veterans’ Wall of Honor will have on our community.”

Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson, an ex officio member of FVM, said, “America in Bloom grant winners are usually communities that have designed a historical or beautification project. In Flossmoor’s case, FVM brought a ready-made historical and beautification project to us. The Veterans’ Wall of Honor will provide a permanent means of honoring our community’s veterans and Flossmoor will also have the benefit of an America in Bloom advisory team to offer insight into future community beautification efforts.”

This grant award entitles the Village to receive a two-day visit from an America in Bloom team of advisors. America in Bloom’s advisors will assess the community and provide input and recommendations in seven key areas: flowers, landscape, urban forestry, environmental efforts, community vitality, heritage, and overall impression.  

A report will be provided to the Village and FVM leadership outlining the community’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.  

“We’re confident our America in Bloom partners will offer recommendations to enhance the Veterans’ Wall of Honor effort,” Braun said.  “We’ll welcome them back to Flossmoor for our groundbreaking event, which we hope will happen during the second quarter of this year.  Our goal is to have the Wall of Honor ready for unveiling as Flossmoor enters its centennial year.”

In addition to Braun, other corporate officers and members of the fundraising and communications subcommittees include John Beele, Kristine Condon, Richard Condon, Flossmoor Village Trustee Brian Driscoll, Jim Fornaciari, Josh Grenard, Robert Guilfoyle, Phil Lee, Flossmoor Village Clerk Gina LoGalbo, Tony Manos, Greg Mitchell, Erich Stockwell, and Calvin Young. The Wall of Honor was designed by Flossmoor architect Michael Matthys.

For more information, to donate, or to provide the name of a veteran to the group’s commemorative program booklet, visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook/Instagram, @FlossmoorVWH on Twitter,  https://flossmoorvets.square.siteon the Web, or [email protected] via e-mail.

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