Veterans groups have proposed building a monument to honor Miami Lakes residents who have served in the military.
The town’s Veterans Committee proposed the project and American Legion Post 144 Miami Lakes has opened a GoFundMe account to raise funds for it.
“We’re trying to save taxpayer dollars,” Veterans Committee Chair William Perez said.
Architect Julio Brea, whose family has ties to town, created the renderings, Perez said.
Perez hopes to meet with Miami-Dade County Commissioner René García and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami to request county and federal funding.
The monument “honors local veterans from all branches of service,” according to the GoFundMe website. The fundraising goal is $400,000. Corporate and individual sponsors will be listed on the structure, Perez said.
Those who give $2,500 - $25,000 will be given prominent placement in the design that will feature a battlefield cross.
“It all depends on how much they give,” Perez said.
Choosing the design took time to figure out, he said.
“We wanted it to match the style of Miami Lakes,” Perez said.
The committee was inspired by a Revolutionary War monument in Wichita, Kan.
“Everyone [on the committee] brought their ideas, and we voted on this one,” Perez said.
It will include a low, white open circle; an engraved marble wall with the names of veterans and military branches; landscaping, lighting and a small plaza for ceremonies, the website says.
A rendering shows it at the southeast corner of Veterans Park, close to Oak Lane.
“We wanted to put it somewhere where the little kids didn’t think it was a playground,” Perez said. “We wanted to make it approachable.”
The committee is using funds from its annual Reindeer Run 5K to help pay for the project. On Feb. 17, the town council approved moving $36,368 from race proceeds to develop the design plans.
To donate to the project visit GoFund.Me/0a8e8dda2.