The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program has received permission from county commissioners to install a statue at Cherokee Veterans Park to create awareness of former service personnel in need.

Homeless Veterans, a nonprofit program of the American Legion, has proposed the statue depicting a male and female soldier for an area of the park where no other uses are planned, staff said in a report to commissioners.

The statue will be privately funded, and Homeless Veterans will provide all materials and labor and obtain any permits required. In a presentation to the county, the group said it has applied for a Home Depot/Team Depot grant. Statistics show Cherokee has the second highest number of homeless veterans of any county in Georgia.

Veterans Park, at 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton, is a 149-acre recreational facility that also contains the recently completed Veterans Monument. The monument recognizes the men and women who have served in the nation’s five service branches. It is funded by the county and commemorative brick sales.