Members of Ketchikan’s American Legion chapter met at the site of their former building Tuesday, exactly one year after the historic building burned down.
The group began by reciting the pledge of allegiance. They faced the flagpole at the front of the property, one of the only things still standing on the cleared plot of land. Rob Fullerton led the gathering and said afterwards that they wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past year.
“Memorialize the year it’s been and recognize our loss,” he said. “And try to fortify for the next year and get the building back up.”
The Post 3 building was nearly 100 years old when it was destroyed last year in an alleged arson fire. The man charged in the incident is currently awaiting trial.
The veterans group immediately started planning to rebuild and has been working to raise the $1.2 million they estimate it will cost. They suffered a setback in late June when Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed funding that would have covered about half of their construction expenses.
But the legionnaires have pressed on and are now aiming to break ground next spring. Joe Sullivan heads up the building committee, and said they’re finalizing the floor plans.
“Our floor plans have been sent to the architects and engineers for final drawings,” Sullivan said. “And we’re working on pinning down which contractors to use.”
Post 3 continues to fundraise for the rebuild. They have an ongoing raffle, a buy-a-brick project, a Gofundme account, and an off-road cart tour fundraiser coming up Sept. 21.
