The Central Texas Veterans Memorial is targeting Memorial Day for the dedication of a new playground and restroom facility at the site, located at 2500 Morris Sheppard Drive in Brownwood.

Harold Stieber, Dennis Rumfeld, and Julie Hahn – representing the Central Texas Veterans Memorial – were interviewed by KOXE radio Friday morning discussing the project.

“We’re shooting for Memorial Day, and that’s kind of aggressive, but you have to start somewhere,” Rumfeld said.

The idea for the Michael Craig Ledsome Memorial Playground, as it will be called, came following discussions with Gold Star families regarding the military operations that followed the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the United States – Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from Oct. 7, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2014 and Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 20, 2003 to Dec. 18, 2011.

Three Brown County residents – Ledsome, Mario Castillo and Wesley Burkett – lost their lives while serving their country.

“A new generation of brave men and women from Brown County answered the call of duty and joined the already active military to protect and preserve our freedom and liberty in this country that we all enjoy today,” Rumfeld said. “Many returned home safe to their families but three brave soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The decision to add a playground, according to Stieber, is “to bring the kids out here to visit the memorial and learn a little bit of history.”

Rumfeld added, “Playground equipment will be erected at the memorial in hopes parents and schools bring their children to it for a teaching and learning experience.”

Hahn has revamped the Central Texas Veterans Memorial Facebook page to allow those interested to make a donation. The Facebook page also contains a plethora of information about the memorial itself.

“Being a part of this organization and project gives me the opportunity as a civilian to give back personally via my time and energy and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom,” Hahn said. “I’d like to encourage the people of Brown County to visit the updated Central Texas Veterans Memorial Facebook page. There’s a three-minute video presentation that gives you a brief overview of the park and what it has to offer.”

Rumfeld stated the restrooms, expected to cost $34,000, are now looking to be only a $10,000 expense due to local donations.

“We’ve had an incredible amount of support from patrons here locally to provide material for that, and there are some that are even providing labor,” Rumfeld said.

Weakley-Watson Ace Hardware is helping out with the playground equipment, which Rumfeld stated was expected to cost $36,000.

“We’re getting really close,” Rumfeld said. “We’re going through them to put in the playground equipment at an incredible price with them pitching in.”

For more information or to donate to the project visit the Central Texas Veterans Memorial Facebook page. For additional information, email CenTexVM@gmail.com. Donations are also being accepted at Citizens National Bank.