Friday, March 29, 2024

Future site of new Johnson County Honor Roll announced

After nearly two years of fund raising, design work and planning, the Vienna Beggs-Gurley VFW Post is nearly ready to break ground for a new Johnson County Honor Roll.

The VFW is within $10,000 of the original estimated $50,000 cost of the project. Donations are still being accepted at The Vienna Times, Vienna City Hall and the Vienna VFW Post.

The new veterans’ honor roll will be placed on the front lawn of the Vienna Carnegie Library on the courthouse square; only yards from the present monument, but across the sidewalk. It will replace the age-stricken and weatherworn memorial that has been a symbolic memorial and historical attraction since June 1944.

The new memorial will include a 36-foot diameter concrete walkway with six four-by-six foot engraved granite slabs honoring local veterans and a lighted flag pole. The construction plans also include incorporating the headline ‘Honor Roll’ slab, located at the top of the current structure, into new memorial.

To have your Johnson County soldier’s name included on the honor roll contact the Vienna VFW at 618-658-4931 or Richard Brumley at 618-771-6105.

Construction of the memorial is expected to begin in June of this year.