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Groundbreaking for WWII Memorial in Illinois

An artist's rendering of what the memorial will look like (photo from Memorial Association)
An artist's rendering of what the memorial will look like (photo from Memorial Association)

By AP/kWMU

Springfield, ILL. – Veterans and their families joined officials Sunday at the groundbreaking of what will be Illinois' World War Two memorial.

About 987,000 Illinoisans fought in the war; 22,000 died. The memorial will be in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery, which is also home to Lincoln's Tomb, as well as Viet Nam and Korean War memorials.

Twelve World War Two veterans from all branches of the service turned the first bit of ground at the ceremony Sunday.

The memorial association president says it took four years to raise the $1.5 million for the project. He says a special committee raised $150,000 and the remaining money came from donations and state and federal grants.

Actual construction won't begin until January. Organizers hope to dedicate it on August 15th, the 59th anniversary of V-J Day.

More information is available by visiting the Memorial Association website.

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