Memorial's size grows along with list of names

FORT RECOVERY - Organizers are planning to enlarge a proposed monument plaza honoring veterans in Fort Recovery Monument Park after receiving an unexpectedly large number of names to include.

Plaza committee member Ken Romer said requests for names to be included on the monument have been proceeding better than expected. However, the expansion also means more money is needed to make the plaza a reality.

"We're turning into a higher price tag than what we expected. We've changed the plans about six times now due to the number of names we've been receiving. We're right in the area of 1,350 names, so far. We had to change our design because we didn't have ample space," Romer said.

The plan is for a memorial plaza where veterans with a Fort Recovery connection are honored as well as a nearby parking area. The plaza was envisioned as a 2,000-square-foot semicircular plaza in front of the Fort Recovery Monument. The new monument would have nine pillars, each 4 1/2 feet tall with the seals of branches of military service, the U.S. flag, the Ohio flag and a POW/MIA flag.

"We've had an overwhelming response so far. We were expecting 600 or 700 names, so we're doing really well," Romer said. Design changes have increased the area for veterans' name. The current design should accommodate nearly 4,000 names.

"We figure there are more names out there. We're trying to build this for the past, for the present and for the future," Romer said.

The names will be etched into 11 brushed stainless steel panels that will sit between the pillars.

The committee is trying to get everything completed in time for the village's 225th anniversary celebration June 12-19, but Romer admitted many unknowns may delay the project in that short amount of time. The delivery of the pillars, flagpoles and engraved stainless steel panels - not to mention the weather - could delay the final project. Thus far, the plaza is taking shape, but Romer admitted, "I'll put it this way, we have a lot of work ahead of us yet."
The public is asked to proofread the names and information received so far at the Fort Recovery Public Library or at the Veterans Monument Park Facebook page. People are asked to pay particular attention to the spelling of names, middle initials, branches of service and years of service.

Names of service members with a village connection are still being accepted. To submit, write Fred Jutte at P.O. Box 89, Fort Recovery, OH 45846.

Concrete work is partially completed and the pillars are expected to arrive by the end of May. Installation of the paver bricks is expected in near future. The names for the engraved panels must be corrected in the next few weeks as well.

With the expanded project, the committee is still seeking donations.

"Costwise, we thought we were in good shape, but we're finding out we're going to be short on the money. So we're still open for donations," Romer said.

Donations may be made to Fort Recovery Community Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 52, Fort Recovery, OH 45846. Note on the check that the money is to be used for the veterans project.