POMEROY–A memorial was installed at the cemetery just prior to Memorial Day in mid-May, dedicated to Garfield County military or related support personnel who served our country but did not make it home.

The monument was designed by Garlinghouse Memorials in Lewiston, with multiple plaques listing casualties from the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Middle East conflicts. (Civil War casualties are not included since Garfield County did not exist at that time.)

Following each man's name is his date of death, and if known, where he died and under what circumstances, his age and place of burial.

This monument was erected to the memory of these men "in the quest that no one be forgotten."

The project honoring the memory of these men began several years ago when Dotty Van Vogt learned some of those who made the ultimate sacrifice had no stone due to the circumstances in which they lost their lives or else were buried overseas.

Gathering information on these men involved many hours of research using old newspaper archives and other sources at the Garfield County Museum, as well as online service records, cemetery burial records, an obscure plaque and input from family members when possible.

Marilyn Myers, Muriel Bott and Bonnie Landkammer were a huge help to Van Vogt with her research at the museum.

Comparing and compiling the information was challenging, especially one young man from World War I whose name was spelled several different ways.

The backgrounds and how they died for some of the men were well-documented, but information on others was sparse, nearly non-existent or even conflicting at times.

A dedication of the monument has had to be postponed due to COVID-19, but is planned for the future.

Two of the young men lost in World War II, Kenneth Dye and John Schulke, have sisters here in Pomeroy and relatives of many others listed also still live in the area.

Anyone related to someone listed on the monument is asked to contact Van Vogt so she can notify them when the dedication will be held.

Funding for the memorial was graciously provided by the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation and immensely appreciated.