By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – A new veterans’ organization spoke to the Chelsea City Council on Feb. 17 about its efforts to form a memorial in Chelsea for local veterans.

Members of the K-Springs Veteran’s Memorial group said the memorial would be located in the K-Springs Cemetery next to the Connection Church off Highway 39 in Chelsea.

“We want to recognize our veterans,” K-Springs Veterans Memorial Chairman and President Ray Shirley said.

The memorial would include all veterans who have served or are still serving in the United States Armed Forces.

U.S. Army veteran and Chelsea Fire Department chaplain Eddie Burchfield said he notices places that honor veterans with memorials or other symbols of patriotism.

“Anytime I go to a city or a town or a park that has a veterans memorial that honors their veterans, it really gets my attention,” member Eddie Burchfield said. “It makes me appreciate that place because they’ve shown appreciation and attention to their veterans, and they realize freedom is not free. Somebody had to pay a price.”

Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven expressed support of the group’s efforts and asked members if they would be interested in discussing with the council the possibility of finding a place in Chelsea for the memorial that would be inclusive to veterans throughout the area, not only K-Springs. Members collectively said “yes” to the discussion.

“We are proud of our veterans,” Niven said. “We certainly will work any way we can to make this a reality.”

In other business, the council approved the following items:

•A proposed resolution to form a partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Chelsea in providing “Fire in the Foothills,” a barbecue competition event.

•A proposed resolution to authorize an additional payment for the Chelsea Community Center to Argo Building Company.

•An annexation request submitted by Benjamin and Keri Rankin for a parcel of land located in Still Meadow.

•An annexation request submitted by Christopher and Lisa George for a parcel of land located in Still Meadow.

•Paying the city’s monthly bills.