Historical society asks Greendale to help fund replica World War II honor roll

Jim Fulton, representing the Dear County Historical Society, asked the Greendale council on May 13 to consider participating in funding a replica World War II honor‑roll display to be placed in New Town Park for Independence Day events. Fulton said his research has compiled about 2,850 names and that the fabricator’s cost for the planned 10x20 screen is about $8,000.

"At this point there is no one place you can go to and say, 'oh give me the names of all the people from Dear County that served in World War II,'" Fulton said, describing months of newspaper and courthouse research to assemble the list. He told council the display will show names in black, killed‑in‑action in red and Purple Hearts marked, and that the dedication is planned for July 4 with an installation set for June 29.

Fulton asked Greendale to consider a contribution but said he is not requesting a specific dollar amount; he said the Dear County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) and would redistribute any surplus donations. He confirmed other municipalities and local organizations have been approached and that Lawrenceburg had already offered a generous contribution. Several attendees suggested the society can handle basic maintenance and cleaning; Fulton said he will return next month with a donation form and that he had already secured a contract with the fabricator to proceed with design work.

Context and next steps: The council heard public questions about whether the display would be permanent and who would maintain it. Fulton said it will be displayed for at least the month of July and that long‑term placement had not been decided; the society indicated willingness to perform routine cleaning. The council did not vote on funding; Fulton and a council member said he would return at the next meeting with a formal funding request.