Scott County urges residents to check accuracy of names for war memorial

BENTON, Mo. -- With progress on Scott County's renovation of its war memorial moving quickly, the county government is encouraging residents to check its list of names for errors and omissions.

Design plans are now in place for the memorial and the county is ready to advertise for bids for the bronze plaques that will list the names of the county's war dead since World War I. So far 114 people have been identified in wars after World War I to add to the 52 already listed, but the county government wants to make sure that number is accurate.

The list of names, along with renderings of the proposed memorial design, are now posted on the county's Web site at www.scottcountymo.com.

The current plan on the table calls for having the renovated memorial in place by Veteran's Day on Nov. 11. The current memorial was dedicated on Veteran's Day in 1922 and listed the names of veterans from Scott County who died in World War I, said county developer Joel Evans.

That leaves little time to take the memorial from idea to reality, Evans said.

"It's going to take some hard work, but we're dedicated to getting it done on that day," said Evans.

County officials estimate six plaques will be needed to list all the names. Six bronze seals will also be placed on the monument, representing the five branches of military service and POWs and MIAs. A new cast-bronze eagle's head will be used as a spout for the monument's fountain.

Joe Bles, commander of the Kelso Township VFW based in Scott City, said he's been attending planning meetings on the renovation and is happy with the level of organization and progress being made.

So far organizers have received $1,400 in unsolicited donations for the project, said Evans. The estimated cost of the renovation is $10,000.

Evans said he's confident enough donations will be received to cover the cost before the end of the project.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182