Plans are still in the works to replace the long-lost honor roll in Monarch, and organizers are calling on the community for help.
The original has been missing from Monarch for a few decades, and residents George and Judie Kosisko want to replace the honor roll and have donated a section of their front yard for the project, the Monarch Community Monument.
"There will be no closed committees," said Joe T. Joseph, chairman of the World War II Committee during a Thursday meeting joined by Dunbar Township supervisors and state Rep. Deberah Kula. "Anyone is welcomed to our meetings."
The proposed monument will be along Main Street at Fourth Avenue and will include four flags, three granite benches, lights, memorial bricks and panels of the names on the original honor roll, as well as recent veterans, at a cost between $35,000 to $50,000.
Jim Marmol, project manager for K2 Engineering, which is designing the monument, said the project will include demolition work, electrical work, granite and concrete expenses, and landscaping and brick placement. But because the project is smaller than the World War II monument in Uniontown, he expects everything to be complete within 30 days.
The goal for the completion of the project is Memorial Day 2008.
"We have a short time to do a lot of work," Joseph said.
Other than donations, people and businesses have an option to buy and personalize the benches for $3,000 each or pay $3,850 for a flag. Other than Old Glory and the POW/MIA flag, two other flags will be branches of the military that a buyer may choose.
There will be 216 bricks at the monument that can be purchased and personalized at a price between $150 to $300.
"If we sell these bricks, we practically have enough money for the project," Joseph said.
The public will also need to work to obtain names of veterans for the monument.
The only requirements for a name to be on the monument is if a veteran during war or peace lived or is living in Monarch or in the boundaries of voting District 4.
People submitting names must give the person's rank, full name (no nickname), branch of service and war era, if any; those who were dishonorably discharged will not be permitted to have their names on the monument.
Along with monetary donations, organizers are looking for material and volunteer donations, as well as public input and a contractor to do work on the monument.
Another meeting will take place after the holiday season.
For more information on the Monarch Community Monument, contact Joe T. Joseph at 724-438-8688.
To make donations, make checks payable to: Monarch Community Monument, 327 Meadowlark Drive, Uniontown, PA 15401.
