For area vets, World War II memorial is 'many years overdue'

By BROOKE BUNCH


For 86-year-old William Thomas, this may be his last chance.

The Chillicothe resident and World War II veteran is seizing the opportunity to attend the dedication of the National World War II Memorial May 29 in Washington, D.C.

"Most of us are slipping away fast," Thomas said. "I thought it'd be my last chance, so I just decided to go."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 108 is chartering a bus to Washington over Memorial Day weekend so veterans such as Thomas have the opportunity to experience history-in-the-making.

"We feel it's a very important monument, it's a milestone in the history of our country," said Post 108 Commander Bill Eblin, Vietnam veteran. "It will be there for many generations to come."

The bus -- which will carry around 50 local veterans from the World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars -- leaves Chillicothe May 28 and returns three days later.

Tickets for the dedication sold out months ago. Eblin said he expects around 60,000 World War II veterans to be standing on the National Mall for the dedication.

"This memorial for World War II is many years overdue," Eblin said. "We're just sorry it didn't happen sooner."

According to Eblin, the U.S. is losing World War II veterans at a rate of 1,500 a day, a fact which has spurred local activity in building a Veterans Memorial Park.

"It's been 58 years since World War II and we've never put up a monument," said statutory agent David Medert.

Beginning the summer of 2004, Medert hopes to see construction begin on the park, which will comprise a half-acre of land facing Yoctangee Parkway, bordered by Chestnut and Park streets.

The first ornament adorning the park will be a monument commemorating the events of World War II. The 19-foot monument will be characterized by six sides of a granite base, each depicting memorable battle scenes of World War II -- including Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Bulge and the U.S. Coast Guard landing troops at Normandy.

Surrounding the monument will be a 15-foot brick plaza encircled by six flags, a U.S. flag and five banners displaying the branches of service.

The cost of the monument is $45,000, funded in part by a $35,000 donation from the David Meade Massie Trust.

The donation will be offered following the successful fund raising of $15,000 by the Chillicothe Veterans' Memorials, Inc., a charitable organization formed to solicit funds for the restoration and construction of veterans memorials.

Landscaping of the Veterans Memorial Park -- which will include walkways, electrical service, parking area and brick plaza -- will be funded through a $12,500 grant from the Schaefer Foundation.

From: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/news/stories/20040407/localnews/186904.html