GRANVILLE, ND (KXNET) — Thanks to a $750 grant from the Rural Development Fund Corporation (RDFC) matched by Souris River Telecommunications (SRT), the Veterans Memorial Monument has now been installed in Granville Cemetery. The SRT met with members of Granville’s American Legion Post 155 this week tocommemorate the monument, which now stands atop a hill in the cemetery. Jeff Smette, the Post’s adjutant, said the project was “Legion member Karl Wittstruck’s baby,which got us going. Then it became a matter of keeping after it, and the community got behindus once we got started.” Contributions from local businesses, organizations, and individuals helped bring total donationsto nearly $14,000. This resulted in a “nice, lasting monument for the community andall veterans, where we can gather and honor those who served,” Smette said. Salute to Veterans: Alan Webster The monument was installed on a cement pad where four crosses marked the ground foryears, honoring two World War I veterans and two World War II veterans. “This monument marks the indelible gratitude we all have for those who have made such a profound sacrifice to defend our nation and way of life," said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President. "SRT is humbled to support our military and is proud to be part of this community coming together for veterans.” SRT is one of the North Dakota rural telecommunication and electric cooperatives that aremembers of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC), a nonprofit finance and development corporation that provides funding for economic development and diversification projects in rural parts of the state. Applications are submitted to RDFC and, if approved for funding, are matched 100% by SRT.