Rain blamed for pushing back projected completion date of veterans appreciation park

Rain in recent weeks has pushed back the proposed completion date for a Cherokee County Veterans Appreciation Park.

The Cherokee County Veterans Day Organization hoped to have the project completed by Veterans Day of this year. Weather would have its say in the matter however, delaying work on the park.

"It has rained so much that it was difficult for us to do anything," said project co-chairperson Linda Brown. "The park will not be finished before Veteran's Day, but we are still moving forward with plans on the project."

Brown said the organization has signed a lease to the property and is preparing to open bidding for construction of the park.

The veteran's park will be located next to the Cherokee County Veterans Museum and Irene Park at the site of the former Gaffney Fire Department substation on Montgomery Street. It will have walkways and walls engraved with the names of all local veterans who have been honorably discharged.

The county Veterans Day Organization has raised $300,000 towards the estimated $500,000 needed to complete the project.

Anyone who wishes to have a veteran's name included should contact the veteran's office to check the status of that person's discharge registration.

The VA office must have an original copy of the discharge in its records before a veteran's name can be added.

For more information, call the Veterans Affairs Office at (864) 487-2579.