By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - With corporate fund-raising efforts well under way, city officials are looking forward to a November dedication of a veterans memorial and have invited President Bush to attend.

The memorial, in front of the municipal building at 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, should be finished by Veterans Day. It will feature several pillars to represent the devastating wars in America's history, as well as one symbolizing a hope for no more conflicts.

The memorial also incorporates an eternal flame and a "wall of tears," with water flowing down black granite.

This month, the city wrote to Mr. Bush and asked him and his family to attend. The White House has not responded, Councilman Peter Beck said.

Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Portman is expected to be present for the dedication, which will be held on or around Nov. 11.

"We're really moving forward with the project," Mr. Beck said. "Now, we're looking at making some modifications, not on the plans but the materials, to have a better handle on the costs."

Those changes include using stone on the sidewalks and altering the water pump in the wall of tears.

Mr. Beck expects to cut the costs to about $400,000 - down from an original $500,000 to $600,000 estimate.

The land and infrastructure were donated by the city.

Organizers have raised roughly $200,000, including a $15,000 commitment Fifth Third Bank made at Monday's council meeting.

The city is continuing corporate fund-raising efforts, and organizers hope to have a fund-raising drive in the schools this spring, Mr. Beck said.

"The community has embraced the project and the veterans organizations have embraced it," he said. "This memorial is not only to honor our veterans, but to educate the children of the future."

Bricks inscribed with names will be used in the memorial and are on sale for $35 each.

About 800 bricks already have been purchased.

The project started in 2001, following local veterans' earlier efforts to build a memorial.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com