Plans announced for Veterans’ Memorial in Riverside Park

Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse could soon have another landmark…a sculpture and a Ring of Honor to recognize area veterans.

The La Crosse City Vision Foundation is seeking sponsors for the Veterans’ Memorial, which would be placed south of the site of the Eagle sculpture, currently out of the park being renovated.

Local artist Mike Martino has been commissioned to make a bronze and granite artwork, which would stand about 11 feet high.

The base of the statue would stand on a hexagon of bricks, which would be engraved with memorials and the names of donors. The hexagon could be expanded with new rings over time.

Don and Roxanne Weber and their family have already donated to the project, and the City Vision group is seeking more sponsors who would be willing to donate $10,000 each to be in the initial Ring of Honor.

The project has been in the planning stage for five years, and was slowed down by the pandemic. City Vision officials are hoping to have the dedication around the 4th of July next year, during Riverfest.