BURLINGTON — Plans for a Burlington Veterans Memorial has gotten a big boost from two notable area veterans.

Cabell County, W.Va., native Herschel “Woody” Williams and Greenup County, Ky., native Ernie West, both U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor winners, have donated Medal of Honor challenge coins to either be auctioned off or raffled off to raise money for the memorial. Challenge coins are designed personally by each Medal of Honor recipient as well as other high-ranking military personnel. They are sometimes exchanged and sometimes donated as fundraising items.

Don Saunders, who is on the veteran’s memorial committee, said he used to work with Williams and a family member works with a friend of West. He said he was pleased both men were willing to make such a donation.

“Both of them are such extraordinary individuals,” Saunders said.

Williams said he was proud to donate a coin to be used for the veteran’s memorial.

“I certainly support this 100 percent,” Williams said. “We must not forget they made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I hope the citizens of this area get behind this.”

The veteran’s memorial will have a basketball tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. The entry fee for teams is $30 if paid on or before Sunday. It is $50 after Sunday. In addition to basketball, there will also be horseshoes. The fee for a horseshoe team is $10 on or before Sunday or $20 after Sunday.

Entry forms may be obtained and returned to A.J.’s Pizza at 6733 County Road 1 near the S curve in Burlington or at Armstrong Cable at 9651 County Road 1 across from the Lawrence County Airpark in Sybene. For more information call Chris Saunders at (304) 412-4852 or Nick Branham at (304) 654- 9342.

The committee is also looking for sponsors for the event.