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Remembering ‘The Greatest Generation’ is a mission for supporters of World War II Memorial in America’s Heartland

By Daniel Hines

Publisher

TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

November 11, 2009--Even in troubled times of fighting two wars, failed businesses, joblessness and concerns about the future, there remains a resource that has provided the depth of character that makes America so great—the quality of the character of the people in The Heartland.

A stellar representation of this is occurring in Decatur, IL, a community of 80,000  that rises from the surrounding acres of some of the richest agricultural land in the world, as the community and surrounding area works to provide a touchstone of gratitude and pride with its planned World War II Memorial—a Memorial that itself has been inspired by the vision and quiet courage of a World War II veteran and Decatur native, Pete Nicholls.

Orv Graham, a local well-known and respected community leader whose career as a financial consultant was preceded by years as an announcer and manager at a local radio station, WSOY (the city is home to agri-business giants A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. and ADM, and is known as the ‘Soybean Capital of the World, hence the SOY  reference in the station name) serves on the World War II Memorial Committee.  He recalls the first time he heard Pete’s story:

“Pete was a quiet guy,  and never talked about his service.  He had suffered a partial loss of his hands, but I didn’t hear the story of what had happened until someone explained to me what a real hero Pete was. 

"The enemy lobbed a hand grenade into a foxhole where Pete and some buddies were.  Pete immediately took off his helmet and covered the grenade with it, holding the helmet to the ground as the grenade exploded. 

“He was a true American hero.  He didn’t look like one, and he really didn’t talk about it, but he exemplified what made The Greatest Generation.”

Pete, who died in 2008 (an estimated 1100 World War II vets die each day!) had a dream that lives on—a monument in Decatur, in the Heartland, that would remember all of The Greatest Generation, including the military, but also those who worked in the factories, produced the crops, and made sacrifices and contributions on the Home Front.

The community has responded with the formation of a World War II Memorial Committee, fund raisers, and seeking donations through unique programs such as The Quartermaster Program which, similar to the March of Dimes, asks donors to make contributions of quarters at various community events.  In addition, several donors have stepped up, and the group now has about $82,000 of the $400,000 it needs. It has received pledges of support from area state legislators to seek as much as $250,000 in state funding, but that is an ‘iffy’ proposition considering Illinois’ fiscal problems.

The Memorial will be built in Scoville Park, a beautiful park in the city's East Side There will be a  five-sided 'plaza-like' feel of openess,, with a Center Pedestal of polished Granite will be to be engraved with the names of Macon County soldiers, of which Decatur is the County seat, who were killed in World War II.

It will also include pavers which can be purchased for $100 each for placement and engraving of the names of members of the Greatest Generation who served. 

Still, there is a long ways to go. But, one of those qualities of character that distinguishes the people of The Heartland is that they don’t back down from challenges. 

At this year’s  Veteran’s Day Observances, local radio personality Toby Tucker of WDZQ-FM  has been invited to speak, a recognition of his efforts to raise $15,000 through fund-raisers for the Memorial.

It’s almost a spiritual moment as Tucker will carry with him the memories of a family with a unique military history—nine men (both Grandfathers and seven great-Uncles) served during World War II.  Six other great-Uncles also served during Korea, Vietnam and in peacetime.

Tucker’s family is not uncommon among the people who live in the small towns that dot Central Illinois.  It is they who provide the men and women who bravely serve from one generation to another to protect our country.  It is only fitting that this heritage should be honored with the very special Memorial that will someday act as a source of remembrance and pride for those who follow.

Publisher Daniel Hines is a native of Central Illinois.  He started his professional career at the Decatur Herald & Review, the city's newspaper, and he held communications positions at corporations in Decatur.