Meeting fails to find agreement on memorials

A meeting on where to put proposed memorials to veterans and the mothers of fallen soldiers drew about 60 people to the Osage Community Centre over the noon hour Thursday but failed to find a consensus.

The VietNow Trail of Tears Chapter wants to put up three stone monolith memorials, a brick walkway called the Octagon of Honor and a life-sized statue representing "Gold Star Mothers" on the lawn of the Common Pleas Courthouse. in Cape Girardeau. Plans for placing a monument for World War I soldiers on Independence Day were cut short when the idea ran into opposition from downtown business leaders, residents living near the courthouse and historic preservationists.

During the meeting, about more than a half-dozen alternative sites were suggested, ranging from Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and Cape Girardeau County Park North to Freedom Corner in Capaha Park or Murtaugh Park in front of the Red House Interpretive Center.

Rodger Brown, president of the VietNow chapter, defended the Common Pleas location as the most appropriate, arguing that several other proposed sites would either create a crowded look or be inadequate.

"Each one of those locations is inappropriate," Brown said. He noted that an on-line poll conducted by the Southeast Missourian showed a small majority support the proposed site. "Fifty-one percent want it exactly where we proposed," he said. "If we are waiting for the public to speak, they have."

But opponents of the location said the courthouse lawn would look cluttered and lose its appeal as a mostly open area in the heart of town.

"The park down there seems very big, but once you get a few people in there it is small," said Todd Roth. "It is a very nice spot, but if you add more you clutter it up."For more information, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Friday's Southeast Missourian.