Driving through Windom on Highway 71, you can’t miss the flags snapping smartly in the breeze over the Windom Veterans Memorial at the center of town. Limestone blocks dovetail black stone monuments, each etched with the image of a service member from different branches of the military.
The memorial is a testament not only to the service of those in the armed forces, but also to the everyday service shown by those who care for our rural communities. City council member Marv Grunig came up with the idea for the memorial. While not a veteran himself, Marv knows and appreciates many community members and friends who are.
“I had noticed driving through several other towns that veterans memorials had got to be a pretty popular thing, and we had the perfect spot for one in Windom,” Marv said.
He was thinking of Lommen Park, a sliver of land in the curve of high-traffic Highway 71. Once he got the idea, Marv was off and running. He worked for City of Windom Electric Department for 38 years before retiring and then running for city council: He knew exactly who to talk to. Marv started with the mayor and city administration, then parks and recreation department and finally the American Legion Post 206. All were on board.
The Windom Area Foundation (WAF) was new to the community at the time as well and was able to host a project fund to gather donations.
“The veterans memorial allows people to remember the sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy. It’s a small price for us to pay that back. It’s hard not to get behind a project like this,” said WAF Board Chair Tony Scott.
Rahn Larson, WAF board member and editor of the Cottonwood County Citizen, led promotion efforts, and a matching fund drive by Bank Midwest further boosted the campaign, which raised $90,000.
“The fundraising was the easiest part,” Tony said, noting local businesses and residents generously contributed to the project.
The memorial’s design was inspired by Marv’s research of other veterans memorials. He even created a model in his woodworking shop to give people an idea of what it could look like. The city engineer helped make a plan for the site, the local funeral director contacted a vendor about monuments and the city put in power so the memorial would be lit up at night.
In July 2023, the WAF hosted a ribbon cutting for the completed monument. Now it draws residents and visitors alike and continues to inspire service: This summer, local 4-H members volunteered their time cleaning and planting flowers at the park.
“I like the idea of giving back to the community,” Tony said. “There are a lot of people out there who have the desire to give back but don’t really know where or how. Starting a local community foundation created an opportunity for them to be able to do that.”
About the Windom Area Foundation
The mission of the Windom Area Foundation is to connect donors with causes – making the Windom area a great place to live, work and play. Since inception, the foundation and its related funds have granted more than $113,000 to support local organizations, community projects, Windom Area Schools, flood relief and the veterans memorial.
Windom Area Foundation is one of 31 community foundation partners of the Southwest Initiative Foundation. This network supports passionate people with the resources to make positive change. A team of local advisory board members guides each community foundation by fundraising, recommending grants, telling stories of good work happening locally and promoting their town.
Follow the Windom Area Foundation on Facebook
About Project Funds
Local community foundations are often approached by a group of community members with an idea for a project that they would like to undertake. They want to know how the community foundation can assist them in making their dream come true. If the dream seems viable, the community foundation will open up a project fund to assist with fundraising, like the one the Windom Area Foundation created to support the veterans memorial.
“People get excited about giving when they can see how their gift makes an impact in a very tangible way in the community. It’s a great opportunity for our community foundation partners to do something really cool for their community, as well as raising awareness for themselves,” said Southwest Initiative Foundation Community Gift Officer Jeff Vetsch.
Give Where You Live
Support your local community foundation or another fund that benefits a cause you care about close to home. See a full list of our partner funds in southwest Minnesota.
