Many people have volunteered their time and talent to the completion of the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. It is not possible to name them all I will, however, list the following that served on the committee in the past.Doris Amundson was a member of the City Park Board and agreed to serve as a liaison between the Park Board and us. She attended meetings and performed her job from October 1995 to December 1997.
Ed Merrell was director of the History Center and served actively from July 1995 to July 1999, resigning to accept a different job in another state.
Everett Klampe served on the committee from June 1998 to August 2000. During that time, he worked primarily on the paver committee and did an outstanding job. He helped arrange and worked in booths and locations that would help the sale of pavers.
Chris Stapleton served on the committee from July 1999 until June 2003, when he moved to Florida. Most of his efforts were in research, discussion, and editing of stories that would be engraved on the wall. As a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack his knowledge was very helpful and he was totally committed to the memorial.
Pauline Krieger joined the committee in May of 2000 to help with the research and writing of the narratives that were to appear on the walls of the memorial. She spent countless hours researching and recommending proper English for the stories. Her expertise was invaluable to the completion of the stories. Pauline also volunteered her time to attend many general meetings of the committee.
Jeanette Hinds was recruited in 2001 to help with the stories that would soon appear on the walls of the memorial and she readily agreed to help. Her knowledge of the English language and proper punctuation assured the committee that the stories would be proper.
Dee Schemmel, Cheryl Gross, Karen Riess, Diane Lesmeister, and Mary Lou Capelle volunteered to help with mailings, billings and computer work. The assistance they gave amounted to many hours and were a great help to the memorial.
The City Council and the Park Board gave us support and let the project continue without interference. They only requested periodic updates on the progress. I believe they should be congratulated for the leadership they portrayed.
Roy Sutherland, Park Department Director and all the employees assisted us with maintenance and office help. While struggling to raise funds for a memorial that many said would never get off the ground.
Rex Savage, Gene Dunt, Chopper and Cindy Porter volunteered to run a golf tournament. They did this for two years and raised several thousands of dollars for the memorial. Needing other fund raisers, Paul Kanz volunteered and ran a dinner auction that raised several thousands of dollars. Charles Glarner donated several thousands of dollars worth of art that was auctioned off as a fund raiser.
