MidCountry Bank Supports 2009 Effort To Save Eternal Flame At National WWI Museum

Financial services provider helps keep flame burning for another year

Released on: August 24, 2009, 9:12 am
Author: MidCountry Bank
Industry: Financial

KANSAS CITY , Mo. (August 24, 2009) With the possibility that the National World War I Museum's eternal flame could be extinguished due to government budget cuts, MidCountry Bank, through its military banking division, Pioneer Services, has stepped up for the second year in a row with a sizeable financial contribution to keep the flame burning atop the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo.

"The eternal flame remains a symbol of our gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Tom Holcom, president of Pioneer Services. "Since we work exclusively with the military community, we could not just sit back and let the flame be extinguished, especially after our organization's successful efforts to save the flame last year," said Holcom. "The WWI Museum is the only museum in America that preserves the legacy of those who served in the Great War and MidCountry Bank and Pioneer Services are committed to doing whatever we can to help ensure that legacy is honored."

In 2008, budget cuts threatened to extinguish the eternal flame except on special holidays. At the time, MidCountry Bank and Pioneer Services initiated the "Save the Flame" campaign, an international awareness and fundraising effort that successfully raised more than $68,000 in just four weeks. The two organizations donated an initial $5,000 to keep the flame lit during the fundraising campaign from Memorial Day to July 4, 2008, contributing a total of $22,500 in matching funds to the widely-publicized campaign. The efforts were profiled in USA Today , Stars and Stripes , and through extensive broadcast coverage.

Since its dedication in 1926, the memorial has been a Kansas City and national monument, looking over the downtown skyline. The National World War I Museum, which opened in 2006, was built beneath the existing Liberty Memorial. It is designated by Congress as the nation's official WWI Museum .

MidCountry Bank's military banking division recently committed $5,000 to keep the WWI eternal flame burning through 2010. The companies continue to manage the campaign's fundraising and awareness Web site, www.SaveTheFlame.org, promoting the need for continued assistance and to facilitate donations.

MidCountry Financial Corp. is a financial services holding company with subsidiaries that deliver high-quality and diversified financial services to targeted markets. These subsidiaries include MidCountry Bank, Pioneer Financial Services, Heights Finance Corp., OFC Capital, MidCountry Investments, and Insurance Planners. Since 2002, its associates have been dedicated to building a high quality financial services organization respected by its constituencies, and characterized by a commitment to the values of integrity, fairness, honesty, excellence, and compassion.

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Contact:

MidCountry Bank
4700 Belleview Avenue, Suite 300
Kansas City , Mo. 64112
Ph: 816-448-2300 / FAX: 816-561-9333

Scott Cahill
Ph: 816-448-2352
http://www.midcountryfinancial.com/

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