2003 Year in Review

Howitzer in Place by Oct. 1

Gravel base is in place for concrete pad to place howitzer. In the background the excavation is in place for the future retaining wall.

View of excavation work from fountain in Veteran's Park.

The Morrison Historic Preservation Commission met September 2, at City Hall. Current business for the Commission is the Veteran’s Park at Grove Hill Cemetery. Donations from businesses and others continue to come in reports Chairman Dick Groharing.

October 1 is the date the Commission set with the Government for the howitzer to be in place in the park. With all the donations and hard work of local businesses, that date should be easily accomplished.

The City has ordered three flagpoles for the Park. The center one will be 35’ while the 2 side poles will be 30’. A donation has already been made for the tallest pole from Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Ritchie of Morrison. Mayor Drey informed the commission that after visiting the Arizona in Hawaii this year he would like to donate an American flag that has flown over the Arizona to be flown only on special occasions. A POW flag and Illinois state flag must also be purchased.

Cash donations continued to be accepted by the City on behalf of the Veteran’s Park. Tuesday night Roy Velde of Ross V. Bogott Company made a cash donation to the Commission.

Todd Nelson from Nelson’s Electric met with the Commission earlier that day and offered to donate the labor involved with running the wire and installing lighting for the Howitzer and flagpoles.

The missing shield and howitzer stands were completed by Phil Benson of Morrison Machine Shop and delivered to Hunter Body Shop to be painted. Morrison Blacktop has been busy with excavation work and the rock base is in place for the howitzer pad. Currently the commission is trying to get a brick pattern for the circumference of the base. Quality Ready Mix is poised to donate the concrete for the howitzer base and Al and Randy’s Construction Company are ready to do the concrete work.

Joel Cook of JC Associates of Sterling expects the retaining wall to be in place around September 15. It should only take 5-6 days to complete.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
September 3, 2003