BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Museum officials announced this week that the Stars and Stripes Museum/Library will cease one of its longtime fundraisers.

As of Jan. 1, the museum will no longer accept orders for memorial bricks.

Sue Tippen, who serves on the museum board, said the bricks still will be available for a few more weeks, but after that, they will be gone for good.

For the time being, bricks may be ordered that will be placed on a wall slated for construction in early spring.

The decision to discontinue the sale of memorial bricks has surfaced because of a pair of issues: The cost of the bricks has continued to rise while they are sold for the same amount, and because it is becoming difficult to find workers willing to donate their time to build future walls.

More than 200 bricks are already at the museum in preparation for the next wall.

Tippen said the bricks may be purchased for a variety of reasons. For example, one man has purchased a brick to commemorate each of his National Guard activations.

Others have purchased the bricks in memory of deceased loved ones or to honor a living friend or relative.

The bricks are $50 each and the price includes up to three lines of text with as many as 14 characters per line. Orders will be taken through Dec. 31.

Bricks may be purchased at the museum or online at starsandstripesmuseumlibrary.org. Further information may be obtained by calling 573-568-2055.

Pertinent address:

17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, Mo.