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By: Erin Smith
The Veteran’s Monument that was once located at the Bladenboro National Guard Armory has now been relocated to a more prominent location in town. The monument is now located on the lot of the former Jones building in downtown Bladenboro.
More work is expected to place at the location including the addition of a mural and some landscaping by the Boost the ‘Boro group.
“I’ve been working on this for about three years,” said VFW member Bobby Ludlum.
Ludlum spoke to the Bladenboro Town Council about the proposal to move the monument and the board approved the idea. Ludlum said he also met with the members of the Boost the ‘Boro committee at the encouragement of the town council. Ludlum said the committee also liked the idea.
“It (the monument) was erected in 1994 following Desert Storm over at the Armory,” said Ludlum.
He said the monument was not limited to Desert Storm veterans but was all inclusive. Ludlum said that after much thought and the abandonment of the Armory by the military, he and other folks felt the monument needed a new home in a more prominent location.
Ludlum said the Robert Hester with Cape Fear Memorials picked up the monuments at the Armory and refurbished and cleaned them.
“He did a great job cleaning them, repainting them and moving them,” said Ludlum.
Ludlum said that Boost the ‘Boro committee will begin working on the next phase of the project.
He added that there is some consideration being given to adding three flag poles at the west end of the property.
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