One Brownwood business is jumping into action after four monuments were destroyed at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial sometime over the weekend. Aside from all speculation, it is unknown at this time whether the monuments were destroyed by winds or vandalism.

Despite that, Weston Jacobs, co-owner of Weakley Watson Hardware in Brownwood has scheduled an event for this Saturday to help raise the funds needed to reconstruct the four monuments that were destroyed. Jacobs said the store has always had a good relationship with Harold Steiber, president of the Central Texas Veterans Memorial. “He (Steiber) has done a lot of work out there,” Jacobs said. “When we heard what happened, it kind of tugged at our heart strings because of the interaction we have had with him. At this point, we are looking to raise the funds needed to bring in the granite they need to repair and replace those monuments that were damaged.”

This Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., those who visit Weakley-Watson Hardware, located at the corner of Coggin and Austin, will have the opportunity to bid on different sizes of stone as part of a silent auction. “When they fell, they fractured into lots of small pieces,” Jacobs said. “Some are still a couple of hundred pounds and some will fit into your pocket.” Jacobs did say the smaller pieces will be sold, on a “by-donation” basis.

Raising funds to replace the monuments is the ultimate goal, Jacobs said. “It’s not about the dollar value of the granite stone. It’s the idea behind it that we are trying to raise money for the veterans memorial so that these stones can be replaced to honor those who served.”

Jacobs explained the personal importance of the fundraiser. “There is no doubt there is a level of service and dedication of our veterans that is unparalleled. It is horrible that this happened before Memorial Day, but it presents us with a great opportunity to feel the spirit of what Memorial Day is truly about.”