Deadline extended to submit name corrections for Harrison World War II memorial

Delays in the restoration of Harrison’s World War II Honor Roll memorial brought on by the covid-19 pandemic are allowing more time to make sure its names are spelled correctly.

“Since there has been a delay, we have extended the time period where residents can check the accuracy of the names that are on the monument,” said Eric Bengel, a member of the committee overseeing the memorial’s restoration, which met Friday. “We have had several people who are familiar with how the names should be spelled check and re-check those names.”

The new deadline for name corrections is now Aug. 15. A list of the names, updated as of June 17, is available online at harrisonhonorroll.org.

The names of nearly 2,000 Harrison residents who served in World War II are displayed on the memorial, which stands at Freeport and Springhill roads.

The names had been displayed painted in gold on black glass panels. They have been removed and will be replaced with the names etched in black granite.

The granite’s delivery has been delayed because of the covid-19 pandemic, Bengel said. It is now expected by early September.

The delays brought on by the pandemic prevented the memorial from being rededicated on Memorial Day.

“We are still shooting to have the monument re-dedicated in time for October, which will be the 75th anniversary of the original dedication,” he said.

Clayton Falkner, an Army veteran and lifelong Harrison resident who championed the memorial’s restoration, died in June. His brother, Melvin Falkner, is listed on the memorial.