Certificate of Ownership.” The name on the attractive certificate is followed by: “This certificate is given in appreciation for the purchase of a memorial brick in honor of the person (persons) named above. This brick will be proudly displayed in the Flag Plaza at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Home on Jefferson Street in Washington, Missouri.”

The certificate was signed by Terry Sullentrup, Commander of Post 2661.

Hundreds of people, veterans and their families, and friends, faced the hot afternoon sun Saturday for the presentation of certificates with the words printed above. It was the dedication of bricks and the Memorial Flag Plaza at the Washington V. F. W. Home. The engraved bricks at the foot of the flags had the names of veterans from several wars and others who donated bricks to ensure the future of the historic Busch home that is home to Post 2661. The fund drive raised about $25,000.

The engraved brick campaign continues! There is space for many more bricks. Donors not only are giving a memorial to a veteran, or veterans, but they are helping to maintain one of Washington’s most historic buildings.

The Busch home was built in the early 1860s. Post 2661, established in 1938, bought the Busch home in 1945 and moved into it in 1946. Over the years much work has been done to restore and maintain it. The cost has been continuous and high to maintain the home. It reached the point that officers and members not too long ago even thought of selling the property. But fundraising ideas emerged. It was Walt Luther, a former Navy officer, who advanced the idea of memorial bricks for the Flag Plaza as a way to raise money for maintenance of the home.

The success of the brick campaign is obvious as work, such as tuckpointing, exterior painting, sealing the parking lot and roof replacement, has been done. There’s more work to be done. From all indications, Post 2661 will be in the home for many years to come. That’s good news. Washingtonians want as many as possible of their historic buildings to live on for future generations.

Luther mentioned during his talk that efforts are being made to place the home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Special thanks was given to the Washington Rotary Club for its donation and to Hillermann Nursery & Florist for its labor to design the Flag Plaza and to install the bricks.

The Flag Plaza with the bricks and artillery piece is very impressive. The hundreds of people who attended the program showed their appreciation by numerous outbursts of applause. Commander Sullentrup invited more military veterans of overseas wars to join the Post.

In the program were these words from a past VFW commander: “It’s not the price you pay to belong, it’s the price you pay to be eligible.”

The Rev. Paul Goodard, St. James, read an emotional tribute to the flag and to veterans that he composed. He was impressed by the large crowd, saying it was much larger than at a recent veterans’ program in Rolla.

The VFW members have received many salutes. Here’s another one!