Volunteers sought for Harrison war memorial committee

Anyone interested in helping restore Harrison’s crumbling Honor Roll war memorial is asked to attend an upcoming meeting.

A committee is being formed to address the condition of the memorial, prominently located at the intersection of Freeport and Springhill roads.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at the township building.

A handful of people are already on the committee, including District Judge Carolyn Bengel. But she agrees with Commissioner William Poston’s suggestion that a veteran lead it.

Poston, an Air Force veteran, also wants to get the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion involved.

Bengel said anyone interested in helping is welcome to attend, whether or not he or she lives in Harrison.

“I think we want to get started,” she said.

Officials have said they’d like to get the memorial repaired in time for the township’s 225th anniversary, which is next year.

It’s not known what needs to be done to restore the sandstone memorial, what can be done or if it’s even practical. Poston said some who have examined the 74-year-old memorial say it’s in such bad shape that the township would be better off tearing it down and starting over.

Bengel said officials are looking for as many people interested in helping as possible.

“The more the better,” she said. “We want to start the process and figure out what we need to do.”

The memorial was dedicated Oct. 29, 1945, and turned over to the township May 24, 1965.

Names of World War II veterans are fading from the memorial, which is coming apart in chunks. It’s stained and cracked.

Moving the memorial to another location has been suggested, in part so it would be easier for people to get to.

But some favor keeping it in a prominent location. Poston said it should be where it is, in the center of town.