American Legion Post 404 Marco island 45-5152385 | Government Grant Application

American Legion Post 404 Marco island | Application Preview

1. PROJECT COVER INFORMATION

Project Title: American Legion Post 404 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Construction and Public Access Infrastructure Project

Applicant Organization: American Legion Post 404, Marco Island, Florida (Not-for-Profit Veterans Service Organization)

Project Director / PI: Post Leadership Team, American Legion Post 404 (Project Director to be designated by the Post)

Contact Information: Marco Island, Florida (Applicant to provide email, phone, and mailing address)

Amount Requested: Grant funding requested to support construction-related infrastructure and placement costs for the Memorial (final dollar amount based on contractor bids, utility estimates, and installation scope)

Project Period: Project period aligned to construction, installation, and commissioning of the Memorial and its supporting infrastructure (dates to align with build schedule and permitting)

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY / ABSTRACT

Problem / Need: Vietnam veterans and their families continue to face a lasting gap in visible public recognition that accurately reflects the full diversity of service and sacrifice. While many communities have memorials, few provide a large-scale, accessible, and educational site that portrays the range of individuals who served, including underrepresented groups and the roles that supported combat operations. Without an appropriately scaled and thoughtfully designed memorial, the community loses an important opportunity for remembrance, intergenerational education, and civic connection to local and national history.

Target Population / Sector: Primary beneficiaries include Vietnam veterans (including minority veterans), active-duty service members, military families, Gold Star families, youth and school groups, residents of Marco Island and surrounding Southwest Florida communities, and visiting members of the public seeking educational and commemorative resources.

Proposed Solution: American Legion Post 404 will construct and install a major Vietnam Veterans Memorial designed as a public-facing, community-accessible tribute. The project includes the physical placement of large sculptural elements and the associated infrastructure needed to safely illuminate, secure, and support year-round public visitation, including electrical service for lighting and fiber connectivity for security cameras. The memorial will depict multiple figures to represent the diverse makeup and roles of those who served: a Black soldier, an American Indian soldier, a White soldier, a nurse with a wounded soldier, and a scout dog with handler, reflecting both combat and medical support experiences.

Key Activities: - Construct and install utility and technology infrastructure (electrical lines for lighting; fiber for camera/security and monitoring). - Coordinate heavy equipment operations and specialized lifting/rigging (e.g., crane services) required to place large memorial components safely. - Complete site commissioning for public viewing, including lighting activation, camera system installation, and safety checks.

Expected Outcomes: - Completion of a large-scale Vietnam Veterans Memorial that is safe, durable, and accessible for ongoing public viewing and commemorative events. - Expanded community engagement with veterans through increased visibility of the Post, enhanced recruitment, and strengthened programming tied to remembrance, education, and service.

Funding Request & Duration: Grant support requested for the construction-related costs directly tied to placement, viewing, illumination, and security of the memorial over the build-to-commissioning period.

3. STATEMENT OF NEED / PROBLEM STATEMENT

Problem Description: Vietnam-era service remains a sensitive and often under-acknowledged chapter of American military history. Many Vietnam veterans returned to a country that did not uniformly recognize their sacrifices, and public commemoration has not always captured the diversity of those who served. A large, highly visible memorial can help close that recognition gap by providing a dignified place for reflection and community learning while reinforcing the reality that Americans of all backgrounds served in Vietnam and contributed in combat, medical, and support roles.

Who Is Affected: The project directly benefits Vietnam veterans and their families across Marco Island and the surrounding region, as well as the broader public. The memorial also serves future generations by offering a permanent educational landmark that encourages civic awareness and respectful historical understanding.

Current Gaps: Existing recognition is often limited in scale, visibility, or inclusiveness of representation. There is also a practical gap between having a memorial concept and having the infrastructure to support safe and consistent public access, particularly regarding lighting, security monitoring, and the heavy-lift placement requirements of large sculptural works.

Consequences if Unaddressed: Without adequate funding for the infrastructure and installation components, the memorial may be delayed, scaled down, or built without the safety, lighting, and security features needed for year-round public visitation. That would reduce the memorial's public impact, limit evening and event access, and weaken the long-term stewardship needed to keep the site safe and respected.

4. PROJECT GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Overall Goal: Build and commission a large Vietnam Veterans Memorial that provides a dignified, inclusive, and safe public place of remembrance and education, while strengthening veteran community engagement through American Legion Post 404.

Specific Objectives (SMART): Objective 1: By project commissioning, the Memorial site will be fully illuminated through installed electrical service and lighting sufficient to support evening visibility and public ceremonies.

Objective 2: By project commissioning, fiber connectivity and camera/security capability will be installed and operational to support monitoring and site protection, improving deterrence of vandalism and enhancing visitor safety.

Objective 3: By completion of installation, all heavy-lift placement and rigging activities will be executed using qualified contractors and appropriate safety controls, resulting in final positioned memorial components ready for public viewing and dedication events.

5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION / PROGRAM NARRATIVE

Project Overview: American Legion Post 404 is undertaking construction and installation of a major Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Marco Island. The memorial is designed around multiple life-sized or larger sculptural elements intended to reflect both the diversity of service members and the range of roles performed during the Vietnam War. To make the memorial functional as a public site, the project includes essential infrastructure: electrical lines and lighting for visibility and events, and fiber/cabling to support cameras and security monitoring. Specialized construction and heavy equipment, including cranes, are required to safely place and secure large components.

Approach / Strategy: The project strategy is to treat the memorial not only as an art installation, but as a public facility that must meet practical needs for safety, durability, and visibility. Lighting improves access for ceremonies and visitors during early morning/evening hours and increases general safety. Camera connectivity provides an added layer of protection against vandalism and supports responsible stewardship of a community asset. Using qualified heavy-lift and construction professionals reduces risk during installation and protects both the memorial components and the public.

Key Activities: - Coordinate engineering and site preparation for conduit runs, electrical service, and fiber/cabling routes to support the memorial footprint. - Procure and manage specialized contractors for crane lifts, rigging, placement, anchoring, and related construction needs. - Install and commission lighting and camera/monitoring systems, followed by safety verification and readiness for public dedication and ongoing visitation.

Innovation / Best Practices Used: The memorial design emphasizes inclusive representation and public accessibility while incorporating practical security and visibility measures typical of modern civic monuments. The project pairs commemorative purpose with infrastructure planning so the memorial can operate as a safe, dependable community site rather than a static display.

Alignment with Grant Priorities: The request aligns with common public-purpose priorities found in federal, state, and local programs that support community facilities, public history and cultural resources, veteran-focused initiatives, and projects that enhance civic engagement, public safety, and educational access. The memorial is explicitly designed as a noncommercial, public-benefit asset with broad community impact.

6. METHODS / WORK PLAN

Implementation Steps:

Phase 1 - Setup Define final installation plan, including utility routing for electrical and fiber/cabling, placement sequencing, contractor procurement, and safety plan development. Confirm coordination with applicable local requirements for construction activity, utility work, and site access management.

Phase 2 - Execution Install electrical conduit/lines and lighting components needed to support nighttime visibility and ceremonial use. Install fiber/cabling and camera-related infrastructure to enable monitoring and protection of the site. Execute crane operations and heavy-lift placement of memorial elements, including anchoring and stabilization.

Phase 3 - Delivery Test and commission lighting and security systems, complete final site safety checks, confirm readiness for public viewing, and prepare for dedication events and ongoing community access.

7. TARGET POPULATION / BENEFICIARIES

Who Will Be Served: Vietnam veterans, military families, Gold Star families, active-duty and retired service members, local residents, school groups, civic organizations, and visitors to Marco Island and the surrounding region.

Recruitment / Access Method: The memorial is designed for open public access as a community landmark. American Legion Post 404 will also leverage the memorial's visibility to expand veteran outreach and recruitment into the Post, strengthening a local hub for veteran support and service activities.

9. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

Organization Mission: American Legion Post 404 is a not-for-profit veterans organization dedicated to supporting veterans, fostering patriotism, preserving the memory of those who served, and strengthening community through service and engagement.

Relevant Experience: As an established American Legion post, the organization is positioned to convene community stakeholders, host commemorative events, and steward veteran-centered initiatives. The Post's planned ongoing recruitment and community presence support the long-term public value of the memorial.

Systems & Infrastructure: The Post will manage coordination with contractors and vendors for construction-related work and will maintain the memorial as part of its ongoing community mission, including hosting ceremonies, remembrance events, and veteran outreach.

11. EVALUATION PLAN

Success Measures: Project success will be demonstrated by completion of infrastructure and installation milestones and readiness for safe public access. Key indicators include operational lighting, functional camera/security connectivity, successful placement of memorial components, and the ability to host public commemorative events.

Data Collection Methods: Project documentation will include contractor invoices and completion certificates, commissioning/testing records for lighting and camera systems, and internal reporting on dedication events and ongoing public engagement. Additional metrics may include counts of events hosted at the site and veteran engagement connected to the memorial.

Reporting Frequency: Progress reporting aligned to construction milestones and grantor reporting requirements, with a final completion report following commissioning.

12. BUDGET SUMMARY

Budget summary (major cost categories): Construction and installation costs necessary for memorial placement and public viewing, including electrical lines and lighting infrastructure, fiber/cabling for cameras and monitoring, specialized heavy equipment and crane services for lifting and placement, and related site work required to complete a safe, functional public memorial.

13. BUDGET JUSTIFICATION (NARRATIVE)

Equipment and Contractors: The memorial includes large, heavy sculptural components that require professional crane services, rigging, and specialized placement to prevent damage and ensure public safety. Electrical lines and lighting are required to make the memorial visible, usable, and safe during low-light hours and for ceremonies. Fiber/cabling supports camera and monitoring capabilities, which are reasonable and widely used measures to deter vandalism and protect a public asset. These cost categories are directly tied to the core purpose of the grant request: completing the memorial in a manner that is safe, accessible, and sustainable as a community landmark.

14. SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Post-Grant Funding Strategy: American Legion Post 404 will sustain the memorial through ongoing community stewardship consistent with its not-for-profit mission. The Post will continue recruiting veterans and engaging the broader community, using the memorial as a focal point for remembrance events and civic gatherings. Routine upkeep, coordination of ceremonies, and community engagement will be integrated into Post operations and volunteer support.

Institutional Adoption: The memorial becomes a permanent extension of the Post's public mission, supporting continued veteran outreach, community education, and annual observances tied to Vietnam-era service and broader military remembrance.

15. RISK MANAGEMENT

Key Risks: Construction and installation risks include schedule delays due to contractor availability, cost variability for materials and heavy equipment, safety risks inherent in crane and rigging operations, and potential vandalism or damage if the site is not secured during and after installation.

Mitigation Strategies: Use qualified, insured contractors for crane, rigging, electrical, and cabling work; sequence installation to minimize rework; implement a site safety plan during heavy-lift operations; and commission lighting and camera/security systems promptly to improve deterrence and monitoring. Continuous stewardship by American Legion Post 404 and ongoing community presence further reduce long-term site risk.

• General Information

  Business Registration Number: 45-5152385

  Location: Marco Island, Florida, United States

  Length of Operation: 11plus

  Number of Employees: 101+ Employees

  Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k

  Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k

  Open to Loans: NO

• Funding Usage

  We have numerous costs associated with the construction of the Memorial. Electrical lines, for lighting, fiber for cameras, heavy cranes for lifting. All associated with the placing and viewing of the MEMORIAL.

• Business Plan

  WE ARE A NOT FOR PROFIT. we will continue to recruit veterans into our post. This is a very large Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It may be the largest in the country. We are depicting a black soldier, Indian soldier, white soldier, nurse with a wounded soldier, scout dog and soldier.

• Self Identified Competition

  no competitions I would like to post the current clay sculptures we have of the Memorial.

• Contact Applicant

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