NEWS
Big News About the Davidson Veterans Monument
The check presentation: (L-R) former Mayor John Woods, Mayor Rusty Knox, Lions Mickey Pettus, Kevin, and Amber. (photo: Jessica Johnson/Town of Davidson)
Tuesday night, Town Economic Development Director Kim Fleming provided introductory remarks about the Davidson Veterans Monument. She noted that in the fall of 2022, the Town Board formally convened a Davidson Veterans Monument Committee.
Showing the artist’s rendering of the proposed monument, she highlighted that the site for the monument will be Nancy McCormick Plaza in front of the Post Office.
Fleming then introduced Mickey Pettus, a member of the Davidson Lions Club, to make an announcement. Pettus began by stating that next year the Davidson Lions Club will celebrate 80 years of service to the community.
Pettus said, “Our motto is ‘We Serve” and we are primarily in service to visual impaired persons.”
Davidson Lion Mickey Pettus joking about needed a giant deposit slip for the check.
However, in 2005 the Lions Club began hosting a memorial golf tournament named in honor of former Mayor, and Davidson Lion, Russell B. Knox. Each year, the Lions designate a nonprofit to be the recipient of the proceeds from the golf tournament.
This year’s tournament was held at River Run on August 19. Ninety-six golfers were in the field. There were five event sponsors and 22 hole sponsors, and the beneficiary selected was the Davidson Veterans Monument Fund.
And with that, Pettus was joined by fellow Lions Amber and Kevin (no last names offered) to present an oversized check in the amount of $13,000 to the Veterans Monument fund. Pettus even joked with Town Finance Director Piet Swart about needing an oversized deposit slip for the check.
Former Mayor John Woods joined Mayor Rusty Knox to accept the check.
Following the presentation, Woods then provided an overall update on the project. The current goal is an installation by spring of next year, with a fundraising goal of $200,000. Given this big donation from the Lions, Woods announced that more than $170,000 has been raised.
He also noted that in addition to the sculpture, the fundraising effort includes a robust landscaping and garden budget for the entire Nancy McCormick Plaza. Woods also took time to thank local scouts for going door-to-door with door hangars with information about how donations can be made to the project.
The Veterans Monument committee is optimistic of raising all the funds by Veterans Day this year. Given the financial progress, coupled with the artist’s work, the Davidson Veterans Monument might be ready for dedication as early as Memorial Day 2025.