Construction of the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial in Pontiac continues one phase at a time.
Organizers of the Third Annual Oakhurst Fund-raiser for the memorial presented Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard with a check for $5,170 at a dinner on Oct. 6 at Oakhurst Country Club in Clarkston.
‘It’s marvelous. As an officer, it’s terrific to know there are people who support us and care about the welfare of the officers in the community,? said Sgt. Paul Bidinger, who participated in the event.
The donation was a product of the Oakhurst residents and friends fund-raiser to thank area law enforcement officers and emergency responders on the links Sept. 12.
Teams consisted of two residents and two guests from area law enforcement and emergency departments in a scramble, according to co-chair Paul Cloutier. Dinner, an award ceremony and a silent auction followed the golf outing.
‘The club really helps to make this affordable,? said Cloutier.
‘It is a wonderful chance to say thanks to police and firefighters for the protection and hard work,? he added.
Community Liaison for Sheriff Bouchard Mandy Ford said the donated money will go to the general fund for the memorial, which is in the second of a four or five phase construction process.
The second phase involves erecting a wall the statue of a police officer and fire-fighter kneeling side-by-side look towards.The wall will bare the engraved names of those lost in the line of duty in Michigan.
‘This is a unique place people will like to go whether they have a police officer or firefighter in the family,? said Bouchard.
‘As much as Sept. 11 affected our country, this honors those who died in our state and is in much more direct connection to our area? it’s a reminder of what police and firefighters do every day in our state,? he continued.
According to Bouchard, there are over 800 names ready to be engraved; dating back as far as the late 1800’s. They will be listed in chronological order. He said space will be left to honor someone chronologically who may be discovered after the engraving begins.
‘Every fund-raiser and donation helps get us further along with the project,? said Bouchard, who pointed out the $200,000 already invested in the memorial are 100 percent from contributions.
Bouchard could not speculate on a finishing date because work depends on the donations of money, labor and supplies.
‘If there’s an electric company out there that wants to help, that’s what we need next,? said Bouchard.
The Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial is located in Pontiac near the Oakland County Courthouse. All corporate and personal checks should be made payable to the ‘Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund? and mailed to : Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial, 1201 North Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341. For more information, call 248-858-1947.