Belding vets park monument damaged during storms

Sep. 1--BELDING -- A storm late Friday damaged a monument at the Denny Craycraft Veterans Freedom Park in Belding.

Dennis O'Connor posted photos of the damage in the Positively Belding Facebook group Aug. 29.

O'Connor stated it appears the damage was done by the wind from Aug. 28 storms. There was also damage to the roof of the VFW Hall, while trees and billboards were knocked down.

Holly Noble, a member of the Denny Craycraft Veterans Freedom Park Committee, said the monument knocked down was the Belding Redskins monument. It was held over and brought to the park once Belding High School changed its name from the Redskins to the Black Knights, Noble said.

"We can't really duplicate it but we sure are going to do our best to fix it," she said. "That's the good thing about it."

The park's monument company is visiting Belding this week to assess the damage and see if it can be fixed. If the company can't fix it, the committee will likely start a fundraiser.

People have reached out to the committee about fundraising, but wants to hear from the monument company first, Noble said.

A Belding city worker texted Noble Friday "almost immediately" noting the monument had been knocked down. The committee arrived Saturday and tarped it so nobody could steal any pieces.

"We are truly appreciative of the community for all their support in any efforts to fix it," Noble said. "We'll accept donations through our PayPal or through check or cash donations if they like."

The Denny Craycraft Veterans Freedom Park is having its Labor Day dedications at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

The park is dedicating three bronze statues, one of which will be park founder and Noble's father Denny Craycraft. Other monuments being placed are a K-9 war dog, another life-size bronze soldier and a Blue Star memorial and plaque from the Belding Gardeneers.

The park will also recognize the Greenville Area Community Foundation for its $24,000 match contribution, Robroy Enclosures for donating the 60-feet flag pole and American flag and some children who returned $21,500 in pop cans to help pay for monuments.

-- Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

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