There’s a war going on, and as a result citizens are more aware now than they have been in years of the sacrifices made by the men and women in the United States Armed Forces.

The renewed interest in veterans this Veterans Day weekend is likely to give a boost to a project that will result in a Veterans Memorial being built in Coupeville.

A group called Island Arts for Veterans has been working on the memorial for several years, and has enlisted considerable help from the Island County Commissioners, who have pledged the site for the memorial as well as some $70,000 worth of labor and materials in its construction.

The memorial will consist of a concrete and bronze wall and plaza to honor America’s men and women of the armed forces. Five symbolic panels will depict the following: on guard; alertness in peace time; sacrifice; Navy personnel; soldiers on guard.

Bill Ethridge, chairman of the Arts for Veterans Board, said plans are to begin construction of the memorial next spring. He said the site chosen is ideal. “As it is for all of Island County, the decision was made to install it at the seat of county government. It will be easily accessed by all citizens of Island County and by visitors as well,” he said.

There have been differences of opinion on what the scenes the art should portray, Ethridge said, but the final design has been approved. And everyone agrees on the center panel, which depicts sacrifice. “There has not been a single negative remark about the center panel,” he said.

The Arts for Veterans board also includes Jean Hermison, Jack McPherson, Dur Roberson and Phillip Harris. There is also and advisory board comprised of citizens throughout the county.

John Sisko, a Seattle resident described as a “national award winning sculptor,” has been commissioned to produce the five base-relief bronzes for the memorial wall at a total installed cost of $80,000. Total project cost will be about twice that, Ethridge said.

The fund raising portion of the project began last month when the Frank and Mary Tippets family presented a check for $1,000 to Phil Harris, treasurer of Arts for Veterans. Since then, the fund has grown to about $5,000.

Ethridge said the outbreak of the war on terrorism may help the fund raising drive as Americans refocus on the importance of their military. “We hope so,” he said. “We’re very optimistic.”

Members of Arts for Veterans have created several models of the memorials that they will display in public places, and simple drawings depict the five scenes destined to be preserved in bronze. But Ethridge said the public likely won’t appreciate the full scope of the project until it is built.

“It’s going to be a beautiful thing,” he said, “and the setting just couldn’t be better.” It will be located across from the Sheriff’s Office, which is comforting to those concerned about vandalism.

Art for Veterans hopes the entire community will rally to support the memorial. “ All veterans, active military, their families and non-military are invited to be part of the project and to place their names within the plaza,” Ethridge said. Contributions are tax deductible, and larger contributors will be honored as follows:

* Those of $100 will receive a paving brick inscribed with their name.

* Those of $1,000 and more will receive a bronze plaques, with and inscription of the donar’s choice.

* The bricks and plaques will be imbedded within the concrete plaza supporting the wall.