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'We invite the community to join us': Veterans Day fundraiser to support Grafton national military memorial

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — On Veterans Day, the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) is hosting a fundraiser at Café Napoli in Clayton to honor the sacrifices of veterans, while raising funds for the development of the NMMA.

This fundraiser is for the construction of the NMMA, a veteran memorial complex against the limestone bluffs of Grafton, Illinois. The national military memorial aims to represent all branches of the U.S. Armed Services. 

‘KSDK’

Simmons Hanly Conroy Founder John Simmons to Support National Memorial of Military Ascent in Grafton

John Simmons Logo

GRAFTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP founder, chairman, U.S. Army veteran, and longtime veterans’ advocate John Simmons has announced his support as Co-Chair of the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA), a transformative project that will honor America’s veterans with a world-class memorial and museum in Grafton, Illinois.

‘Riverbender.com’

National Memorial of military ascent

Plans are underway in Grafton to create a breathtaking national military memorial as a salute to the sacrifices of the men and women who served in the U.S. military throughout history. The National Memorial of Military Ascent, adjacent to the Grafton Visitor Center and framed by the Mississippi River bluffs is expected to become a reality within the next four years.

‘Great Rivers and Routes’

President of Grand Haven, Michigan-based Penultimate LTD David Schock interviews 13-year-old Samuel Odhiambo, of Elsah, June 3, 2024, at the Grafton Visitor Center for a documentary about the coming National Monument of Military Ascent to be complete by June 6, 2026, in Grafton. Jill Moon

GRAFTON — Many voices make up the documentary about the city’s coming National Monument of Military Ascent, including representation of the  the voices of the lost troops at Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. 

‘The Telegraph’

Michael Harwick, Brittney Weber, Chaplain Warren Gohl, SGT Patrick Perkins, Mayor Michael Morrow, Maybeline, SSG Dean Orcholski. (Submitted photo) With the Native American Chaplain, Warren Gohl, recently in town for a series of events, The Heroes Hunting Foundation made a special visit to City Hall and the site of the Grafton Memorial to deliver a…

“River County News’

GRAFTON — With an appearance by Warren Gohl, the chaplain for the National Memorial of Military Ascent, Grafton officials had to move to a larger venue to accommodate a large amount of attendees. Gohl is revered for his contributions to not only Native Americans, but war veterans and the improvement of the mental health of prison inmates.

‘Riverbender.com’

On This Monday in the Heart of the Riverbend… we are starting the day off with Warren Gohl, Mayor Morrow, and the National Memorial of Military Ascent! They will join CJ to discuss Warren’s presentation on Code Talkers, their role in the U.S. military, and what they did on D-Day. 

‘Riverbender.com’

Dr. James Smither, a professor at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, recently stopped by Grafton to film oral histories of local veterans. These videos will then be archived with the Library of Congress and eventually shared in the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) museum.

‘Riverbender.com’

Code Talkers event coming to Grafton

The Grafton Historical Society has a special event planned for Sunday July 28th at the history Museum & Visitor’s Center on East Main Street. Army war veteran Warren Gohl of the Seneca Nation will be speaking about World War Two code talkers.

His talk begins at 1:30 PM. The presentation completes the annual membership drive for 2024.

Warren Gohl tells The Big Z some of what he’s learned about code talkers and the important role they played during wartime.

Gohl became friends with Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow through a Mississippi River towns initiative.

Both are Bronze Star recipients.

‘Advantage News’

Hayner Library to Host Program about Native American Code Talkers and World War II

ALTON – History and culture combine at an upcoming program at Hayner Public Library District.

“Code Talkers: The Fascinating History of Native American Service in World War II” will share the story of the Code Talkers, Native American service members who used their native tribal languages to transmit messages on D-Day. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, community members are invited to Hayner Library’s Alton Square Mall location to learn more about these service members and their history.

‘Riverbender.com’

Illinois river town plans lasting D-Day tribute

Driving past the towering limestone bluffs overlooking the Great River Road and Mississippi River at Grafton, Ill., in 2019, Mike Morrow exclaimed to his wife, Lynne, “It’s Pointe du Hoc!”

‘American Legion National Magazine’

Grafton Celebrates D-Day Anniversary with New Memorial Project With Much Activity

 On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow and the city have taken significant steps to honor veterans with a new memorial project.

‘Riverbender.com’

National Memorial of Military Ascent announces documentary partnership with Penultimate, LTD

The National Memorial of Military Ascent has announced the approval of a documentary project in collaboration with Penultimate, LTD. This partnership will see David Schock, Thom Bell and Jay Round producing a documentary of the Grafton Veteran’s Memorial.

‘IL Business Journal’

NMMA supporters ‘Storm the Beach’ at Raging Rivers

Jersey County Journal Visitors got to take an up close look Friday evening at the vehicles brought in by Army Ranger reenactors at the Storm the Beach event at Raging Rivers. Community support is continuing to grow for the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) as the memorial commission continues to raise…

‘River County News’

Carolina Bronze Foundry starts scanning for NMMA statues

A live model poses for the Carolina Bronze Foundry at the Grafton Visitors Center. The models will be used to create the life-size bronze statues for the National Memorial of Military Ascent. The City of Grafton is one step closer to seeing the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA)…

‘River County News’

National Memorial of Military Ascent Receives $10,000 from Jerseyville Carrollton Bank

In a heartfelt gesture of support for the National Memorial of Military Ascent in Grafton, Illinois, Jerseyville Carrollton Bank Regional President, Alan Karcher, presented a generous donation of $10,000 to Grafton Mayor Michael Morrow….

‘River County News’

Raging Rivers "Storm the Beach" Event to Support National Memorial of Military Ascent

If you’re looking for a chance to support the National Memorial of Military Ascent and have a lot of fun while doing it, you’re invited to stop by the “Storm the Beach” event at Raging Rivers…

‘Riverbender.com’

National Memorial of Military Ascent Announces Documentary Partnership With Penultimate, LTD

The National Memorial of Military Ascent is proud to announce the approval of a documentary project in collaboration with Penultimate, LTD. This exciting partnership will see David Schock, Thom Bell and Jay Round producing a documentary of the Grafton Veteran’s Memorial….

‘Edglentoday.com’

Life-size bronze statues to honor U.S. military in Grafton

National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) Commission Secretary Brittney Weber signs on with Carolina Bronze Sculpture of North Carolina for 12 bronze statues for the NMMA. The commission expects a final completion and dedication date for the World War II memorial and museum June 6, 2026, in Grafton

GRAFTON — Bronze statues are in the making for a significant monument in Jersey County to honor U.S. military members and the sacrifices they have made. 

‘The Telegraph’

Bronze Statue Scanning Starts Next Week

The Carolina Bronze Foundry from North Carolina will have representatives in Grafton on Friday, May 31st to Wednesday, June 4th 2024 to start the scanning of live models for the U. S. Army Ranger statues for the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA).

The digital scanning process will take place on site at the Grafton Visitor Center. The live models will strike and hold a pose while the foundry personnel will scan them digitally. This digital scan is then processed at the foundry and sent to a 3D printer and from there to the actual bronze….

‘The Big Z’

Local Clothing Business Partners with Grafton Veteran's Memorial

GRAFTON – A new local business is off to a strong start as the official merchandise supplier of Grafton’s veteran’s memorial.

Seed to Sewn, a direct-to-film garment printing company, has partnered with the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) to provide merchandise for the new veteran’s museum and memorial to be built in Grafton. A percentage of the proceeds for every shirt purchased will go toward NMMA to help fund the memorial.

‘Edglentoday.com’

Metro-east river city unveils $6 million plans for new war memorial

The City of Grafton, Illinois, unveiled plans for a new $6 million military memorial on Wednesday to be constructed on the east end of town. The National Memorial of Military Ascent will be built into the Mississippi River community’s cliffs and will include an interactive museum and plaza next to the city’s visitors center, said Mayor Michael Morrow.

‘Belleville News Democrat’

Military memorial complex project moving forward in Grafton, Illinois

GRAFTON, Ill. – Planning for a major military memorial complex is moving forward in Grafton.

City officials unveiled the $6 million project during their capital campaign kick-off Wednesday. The National Memorial of Military Ascent Complex will include a memorial plaza and an interactive military museum.

‘Fox 2’

Grafton memorial to honor veterans with re-creation of Pointe du Hoc

Fundraising has begun on a $6 million National Memorial of Military Ascent, in Grafton. The memorial will include a small war museum and life-size sculptures of U.S. Army Rangers scaling the cliffs as they did at Pointe du Hoc, in Normandy, France, to secure the beaches for the Allied landing on D-Day. Henderson Associates Architects, via The National Memorial of Military Ascent

GRAFTON — A German soldier looked out from his reinforced concrete pillbox over the English Channel on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He saw thousands of ships headed his way, and said, “Mein Gott. Sie kommen.”

My God. They are coming.

Fundraising has begun on a $6 million memorial and military museum at the Grafton Visitors Center to remember the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who fought in World War II.

‘St. Louis Post-Dispatch’