1st of 5 Walls Unveiled for Spearfish Veterans Monument

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — Officials in Spearfish have unveiled the first granite wall in a veterans monument that has been years in the making.

More than 900 names are etched on the first wall that was unveiled in a Sunday ceremony. It came five years after the formation of a fundraising committee.

The monument honors veterans from Spearfish who have served honorably, dating to the Spanish-American War. There eventually will be five walls, symbolizing the five branches of the military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

World War II and Korean War veteran Arne Koski attended Sunday's ceremony and said it's an honor for veterans to be recognized for their sacrifices.

The monument's cost is estimated at about $250,000. Fundraising committee member Boyd Dean says the group is continuing its efforts.

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