As Memorial Day approaches, Alaskans prepare to honor our veterans who responded to America’s call to duty. Through parades, ceremonies and visits to the graves of loved ones, we take comfort in demonstrating that they live on in our hearts.

In Anchorage, as the 26th anniversary of the Anchorage Veterans’ Memorial on the Delaney Park Strip approaches, this year those who commemorate Memorial Day may find the site under construction after years of effort to design and fund renovations developed through public hearings and a Veterans Memorial Task Force.

With the support of the legislature and the Municipality of Anchorage plus key donors and fundraising by the Anchorage Veterans’ Memorial Committee, the arrival of a few remaining pledges will see completion of the $1.5 million initially budgeted.

September 2012 storm damage to the flag pole added to the needed renovation and the municipality, through its Parks and Recreation program will provide a new flag pole and oversee the construction of the renovations. The municipality is evaluation bids on construction; the outcome of that process will determine when construction can go forward.