Tucker County Veterans Memorial Fund

The Tucker County Veteran’s Memorial Fund provides annual support for the upkeep and maintenance of the All Veterans’ Memorial in Parsons, WV, honoring those who served with dignity and dedication.

TYPE OF FUND: Field of Interest

DATE ESTABLISHED: Initiated June 30, 2004; Established May 11, 2005

PURPOSE: To provide an annual grant for the maintenance and upkeep (or other needs) of the All Veterans’ Memorial located in Parsons, West Virginia.

DISTRIBUTION: Upon the recommendation by the Grants Committee and approval by the full Board of Directors of TCF.

VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.

FUNDING: An initial donation of $2,000 from Carmen E. Holmes of Hendricks, WV.

BACKGROUND: Carmen Holmes moved to Tucker County in August 2003 and was quickly inspired by the local veterans who were designing and constructing a monument to honor all county veterans. The idea for the monument began with the Concerned Citizens’ Coalition, a group affectionately known as the “Cookie Ladies” for their fundraising efforts. The monument was built by volunteer labor from veterans and was dedicated on July 3, 2004 at the corner of First and Main Streets in Parsons. Ms. Holmes’ neighbor, Charles Lowther, was the presiding officer of the newly formed Tucker County Veterans Association. Motivated by her family's history of military service and a desire to support the effort, Ms. Holmes initiated the fund with a personal contribution. Born in Virginia and raised in California, she spent her professional life working in the Washington, DC area, including seven years at the National Institutes of Health before retiring to Tucker County.