Harrison seeks volunteers for war memorial restoration committee

Harrison would like to make renovating the township’s crumbling war memorial a tie-in to the township’s 225th anniversary next year.

The township plans to appoint a committee to determine what needs to be done to restore the war memorial, whether a new one needs to be built and how money needs to be raised.

Anyone who would like to serve on the committee should contact Harrison officials at 724-226-1393.

When inspected last year, many problems surrounding the 74-year-old monument were revealed.

In addition to fading names, the monument is coming apart in chunks. There are stains and cracks — some the whole way through the structure. Some of the glass is cracked, as are some of the panels upon which the names were painted, originally in gold leaf.

Cracks in the panels go through some of the names.

Some of the glass is so hazed the names behind it barely are visible, while others show signs of condensation and water penetration. There’s evidence of insects and spiders getting inside, and moss growing inside it.

According to Tarentum Times, a publication of history and genealogy of the Allegheny Valley, the memorial was a project of the “Mothers and Wives of Servicemen of Harrison Township.”

It was dedicated Oct. 29, 1945, and turned over to the township on May 24, 1965, along with the group’s “treasury” of $400.

Late last year, the township had an electrician redo the lighting at the monument, including on the flag, allowing for its proper display at night.

Township officials plan to contact a community native who has been prominent is establishing a similar monument in Hermitage, Mercer County.