2003 Year in Review

Morrison Acquires 105mm Howitzer

Recently, a 1988 105mm M2A2 Howitzer was brought into Morrison primarily through the efforts of the Morrison Historical Commission. The Artillery piece was formerly at the Rock Island Arsenal and has been shipped here to honor our local veterans. With the help of state Senator Peter Fitzgerald, we were able to submit a request for the artillery piece.

The Howitzers were towed artillery pieces that were capable of firing up to 7 miles at a rate of 10 rounds per minute. The piece is 19.5 ft long, 7.25 ft wide, and 5.66 ft tall, and weighs 4,980 pounds. They were heavily used in WWII, Vietnam, and Korea. The Howitzer that we acquired was made in 1988 at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Currently the artillery piece is at Hunter’s Body Shop, where it is going to receive a paint job, donated by Hunters. A permanent home is being considered along with a new veterans memorial in the Grove Hill Cemetery. Watch this page as we update developments regarding the howitzer and the memorial site.

by Larry Gatz, theCity1.com
June 12, 2003