City endorses group’s effort to raise money for memorial

A nonprofit group got Las Vegas' blessing Wednesday to start raising private funds for a long-sought veterans memorial at Huntridge Circle Park.

The group, called Las Vegas Veterans Memorial, has a goal of raising at least $1 million to design and build a monument. If there is enough money, some of it could be used for other improvements at the park, which is closed to the public.

"There's no approved design at this point," said Michael Millet, a former U.S. Army Ranger on the memorial group's board of directors. "We will certainly consider not just the memorial, but the whole park as well."

Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese said the city's recognition should make it easier for the group to raise money.

"They want to make their fundraising more viable by saying the city is supporting this, which we are," he said.

"I know we've got a lot of work to do."

One event is already in the works. The American Heroes Challenge, in which teams of military, law enforcement or security personnel compete in a series of obstacle courses and scenarios, is scheduled for Labor Day weekend at two locations in Las Vegas.

There has been support for a veterans memorial in the area, but public funding has not been available.

Huntridge Circle Park, on Maryland Parkway just south of Charleston Boulevard, was closed in November 2006 after a homeless man was stabbed to death.

There had been increasing tensions in the neighborhood before that incident because of homeless people congregating in the park.

Reese said his office is still working on ways to secure the park so that it can be reopened.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.