County Board: WW I & II Memorial

Freedom Isn’t Free

Hundreds of Peoria Area citizens gave their lives in defense of freedom in World Wars I & II. We ask for your help in honoring these citizens of Peoria County who paid the ultimate sacrifice. With your help we will build a permanent memorial honoring their memories and achievements that will add beauty and historical education for generations to come.

The Peoria County Board has established a committee for the purpose of planning and raising funds for the construction of a veteran's memorial. The intent is to construct a proper memorial in honor of Peoria County's veterans of World Wars I and II. Our goal is to raise $500,000, which will enable us to complete this project within the next year.

This memorial - an everlasting tribute to the monumental efforts and sacrifices of all Americans - will be constructed in the area of the Peoria County Courthouse grounds at the corner of Adams and Hamilton Streets. As such, the memorial will be across the street from the Caterpillar World Headquarters Building. The WW I & II cenotaph will honor the 20,000 who served from Peoria County in the U.S. armed forces during World Wars I & II, the 500 who died, and the thousands who supported the effort from home.

In order to complete our goal we're counting on area businesses, foundations, local & state government, community organizations and private citizens to generously support this project. We know that you believe, as we do, that Peoria County should not forget the sacrifices or our World War veterans.

The Committee:
Honorable Robert H. Michel, Honorary Chairman
Edward Brog, Veteran's Assistance Commission
Dr. Peter Couri DDS, Peoria Historical Society
M. Ernie Crowl, Veteran's Assistance Commission
Honorable Patricia Hidden, Peoria County Board
Hal Fritz, USA Retired-CMOH
Thomas E. Maher, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
Tomas E. Martin, Director Peoria County Veterans Assistance
Honorable Michael D. McCoy, Sheriff of Peoria County
Honorable Roger Monroe, Peoria County Board, Ret.
Maryann Morrison, Administrator Caterpillar Foundation
Stephanie Sanders, Representative of Caterpillar
Honorable Steve Sonnemaker, Peoria County Clerk
Bruce Thiemann, Attorney at Law

Primary Contact Person:
Carol VanWinkle, Committee General Chairman
Room G-02/Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602
Phone 309-672-6006 / Fax 309-677-6234