KANSAS CITY — Private donations will keep the top of Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial aglow until July 4.
The 217-foot memorial has towered over Kansas City since 1921, but officials at the National World War I Museum turned off the steam used to give the tower its glow after the city announced $620,000 in recent budget cuts.
Pioneer Services, a company providing financial services and education to military members and families, has donated $5,000 to keep the glow going from Memorial Day to July 4th.
The Kansas City-based company is encouraging others to make donations and promises to match contributions up to an additional $17,500.
The annual cost of keeping the flame turned on is about $45,000.