A Buchanan County resident is asking county and town leaders to consider moving the existing veterans markers near the Buchanan County Courthouse to a more visible location in Grundy.
Ken Smith presented the idea to the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors during its Aug. 3 meeting at the Buchanan County Government Center on Slate Creek.
Smith, a member of Lt. Col. Vincent A. Witcher Camp No. 1863 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, proposed relocating the markers to property near the traffic light at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Slate Creek, close to the Grundy Community Center.
He suggested using the markers to create an improved memorial setting that could also include three flagpoles. The proposed location would make the memorial more visible to residents and motorists traveling through town.
Smith remembered when the markers were first installed near the courthouse many decades ago. Although they still honor local service members, he mentioned that their placement along the courthouse sidewalk fails to give them the prominence or visibility they deserve. He also noted that because of their proximity to the courthouse, people entering often leave their cups and trash on the monuments, which disrespects the veterans.
“Those people did what they did so that we got what we’ve got,” Smith told supervisors.
Smith emphasized that he was not asking the county for money. Instead, he wanted to introduce the idea and encourage the Board of Supervisors and Grundy Town Council to work together.
“I’m just planting the seed with the idea,” Smith said.
Because the markers honor Buchanan County residents but would potentially be placed on town property, Smith said cooperation between the two local governments would be necessary. He told supervisors he planned to present the proposal to Grundy Town Council during its Aug. 11 meeting.
“If you don’t mention it somewhere, the idea doesn’t go anywhere,” Smith said.
Supervisors took no action on the proposal.
In other business, the board unanimously approved two grants totaling $15,000 for fiscal year 2027.
The approvals included a $5,000 Public Safety Answering Point Educational Program Grant and a $10,000 Geographic Information System and Data Program Grant.
The programs support public safety communications, mapping and data services used by the county.
