RISON - The Cleveland County Quorum Court received an update on the effort to create a veterans museum at the Hall-Morgan Veterans Building in Rison during its regular monthly meeting Monday night.Randy Morgan, a volunteer with the Cleveland County Veterans Association, told the quorum court that the shelving has been ordered and that Quality Wood and Metal Design of Mitchell, S.D., is building a locking glass case that will go over the shelving.The shelving will be used to display military memorabilia donated for the museum by the late John Blanchard of Rison, who was instrumental in starting the Cleveland County Veterans Association and the Veterans Appreciation Dinner that provides a free meal to veterans and a guest each fall.Morgan approached the quorum court earlier this year about establishing a small museum inside the Veterans Building using the artifacts donated by Blanchard. The quorum court gave him permission to move forward.The display, according to Morgan, will consist of two glass cabinets measuring a little more than 20 feet wide and 6 feet tall. They will be placed along the southern wall of the Veterans Building, split by a support column. Morgan pointed out that the shelving system has adjustable heights to accommodate the various items that will be on display.Some of the justices of the peace wanted to know the cost of the project, which is being funded primarily with donations through the Cleveland County Veterans Association. Morgan said the shelving alone will cost about $3,500, but he did not have a cost for the glass case that will go around the shelving.Justice Bruce Brown suggested the county look at having a matching program where the county will match private donations up to a certain amount. Brown said he was willing to donate $500 toward the project. County Judge Jimmy Cummings said Brown’s idea is something the county could look at.While on the subject of the Veterans Buildin...
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