JERSEY: NMMA supporters ‘Storm the Beach’ at Raging Rivers

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By Steven Spencer

Community support is continuing to grow for the National Memorial of Military Ascent (NMMA) as the memorial commission continues to raise funds for the veterans memorial that will soon be welcoming visitors in Grafton.

Supporters gathered at Raging Rivers for the “Storm the Beach” event on Friday, June 7. The evening gave families and friends the chance to enjoy the water park while listening to live music from Jake Weber and the Lonesome Drifters, check out a silent auction with unique local items, and enjoy the summer weather all while raising funds to help support the NMMA.

Grafton Mayor and NMMA President Mike Morrow said the community support has been overwhelming as the project has advanced. Just within the last few weeks live model scanning for statues began as well as filming for an upcoming documentary on the project.

Coverage of the memorial project was also recently featured in the June edition of The American Legion Magazine.

The article featured details on Mayor Morrow’s and his wife Lynne’s inspiration for the memorial and the progress on the project, which Morrow said is a big step in gaining national attention and support.

Next month, the American Legion will also be voting on a resolution of support for the project at their state convention. Once passed, the resolution is expected to then move on to seek support again at the national convention later this summer.

“I’ve already briefed the President, the State Commander and the State Adjutant on our project,” Morrow said. “They said the American Legion in the state is behind it. They’ve drafted a resolution, so they’re briefing at the district, and in Springfield in July I’ll be there with my life and a delegation from Post 648 here in Grafton and we’re going to be briefing this project to the state convention.”

The support from the American Legion and coverage in the national magazine is something Morrow said he and the NMMA commissioners are very excited and grateful for.

“Once that passes, that means the entire state of Illinois, all the American Legion posts support this project. Then the State Commander says they’re going to move it to the national level at the national convention later this year.”

NMMA commissioners will similarly be seeking support from the VFW. NMMA member Tom Woelfel said they’re preparing information to present to the organization in the near future.

As the project continues to advance Morrow said things are right on track, and the community can expect to see some pieces of the memorial in a little over a year with a soft opening anticipated for the fall of 2025.

More details and information on the National Memorial of Military Ascent can be found at graftonmemorial.org.