2004 Year in Review

Benches donated for Veteran's Park and Memorial

“We want it to be the very best. From the rough sketch to the actual placement, we want it to be absolutely very close to perfect when we are done. First impressions are everything,” stated John Gragert. John is the artist who designed the insignias on the two granite benches that were installed at the Veteran’s Park and Memorial at Grove Hill Cemetery.

John, along with Rick Marshall, production manager from Midwest Monument in Sterling installed the benches last week. A dedication was held Thursday morning, December 9, 2004.

The Morrison Rotary Club and the Morrison VFW Post 8281 donated the two benches made from the same granite used for the Vietnam Memorial in Washington.

Work in the making of a center monument and tablets are taking place. The center monument dedication inscription will include the crest of all six service branches. The tablets will include the names of deceased veterans in the 61270 zip code and will be listed by war in alphabetical order from the War of 1812 until present. “There will be over 1,500 names listed, stated Dick Groharing. Dick is chairman of the Morrison Historical Preservation Commission. Much time and research has been done in obtaining the names for the tablets.

Everett Pannier, representing the Morrison Rotary Club and Kenny Stralow, representing Morrison VFW Post 8281 were present for the dedication.

Donations are being accepted for the Park and may be sent to: City of Morrison, %Veterans Park and Memorial, 200 West Main Street, Morrison, IL 61270.

by Dawn Zuidema, theCity1.com
December 10, 2004