Published: May 12, 2008 06:26 am         

War memorial dedication planned

Georgetown to honor veterans

GEORGETOWN — A celebration will take place Saturday in Georgetown to officially dedicate the World War II Honor Roll memorial.

The five-ton granite stones are etched with the names of 691 Georgetown area soldiers who served during World War II. The effort to erect the memorial began in 2002 with a small, but dedicated committee who wanted to replace what once stood downtown to honor the men.

An original memorial was dedicated downtown June 27, 1944, but when Illinois Route 1 was widened the memorial was taken down and put up at the American Legion nearby. At some point, maybe during renovations, the memorial was taken down again, but not resurrected.

The committee began the task of raising money for the project, an estimated $25,000. However, the total has ended up costing much more than anticipated and they still owe $16,000.

That’s one of the reasons the dedication ceremony has been delayed, said committee President Grace Dukes. It was erected in November 2006.

“We had just hoped we could collect more money,” said Dukes. “We’re still in debt for it, but that’s O.K.”

Dukes said another reason was the time of year. Waiting until grass could be planted and some landscaping makes it look even nicer.

Committee secretary Susan Riggle said the road to getting the honor roll back up has been a long one, but she wouldn’t change a thing. She said her father, who has passed, is named on the honor roll and she has enjoyed spending so much time on the project.

“It’s been kind of like he was almost here,” said Riggle.

Riggle said committee members were thorough during the entire process.

“We wouldn’t have wanted it done any other way,” said Riggle. “We couldn’t have done it any more quickly.”

A dignified event is planned, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at the honor roll site on the northeast side of the downtown square in Georgetown. They sent a couple hundred invitations to veterans named on the honor roll and also to families of deceased veterans named on the honor roll who might want to be present at the ceremony.

Guest speakers for the ceremony are Brigadier General Joseph G. Balskus of the Air Florida National Guard and state Rep. Bill Black. Balskus’ father, who has died, is named on the honor roll. Balskus is a Westville High School and Eastern Illinois University graduate.

Music also will be a highlight of the event, with Lynn and Jeff Palmer of Danville playing the bagpipes.

“We’ve always wanted to have the bagpipe music, so this worked out great for us,” said Dukes.

Some of the youngest participants also will show their respect for the veterans with elementary students singing choral selections and Boy Scout Troop 287 and Cub Scout Pack 216 leading the pledge.

Local American Legions Dornblaser Post 203 of Georgetown, Davis/Busby Post 776 of Catlin and Martin F. Vutrick Post 51 of Westville will present colors for the event.

Dukes said she knows of at least 30 veterans named on the honor roll who plan to attend the event. She is most looking forward to seeing as many World War II veterans attend the event, so they can be honored. She spoke to one veteran from North Carolina who will try to attend.

“We want to honor the ones who can attend and those who have gone on before us,” said Dukes. “They all went and served our country in a time of need.”

Riggle has talked with family members of people who were killed in World War II who plan to attend.

“It’s really important that they know they are not forgotten,” said Riggle.

Riggle said she has family coming in for the event with four of her father’s great-grandchildren planning to attend.

“To me, that’s what it’s going to be all about,” said Riggle. “Bringing together past and future is what it’s meant to me.”

FYI

A dedication celebration for the Georgetown WWII Honor Roll will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday on the northeast corner of the downtown square in Georgetown at the honor roll site.