War Memorial

World War II veteran and Dunbar resident Harold Craigo, left, and Dunbar Police Chief Bill Moss put the final touches on a restored memorial for the city's veterans. The piece sat neglected for years in City Hall.

DUNBAR, W.Va. -- A World War II memorial was once prominently displayed in Dunbar City Hall with tiny wooden plaques holding hundreds of names of city residents who served in the armed forces.

Over the years, the impressive monument fell into disrepair. The glass covering was shattered and some name tags disappeared. Eventually, the memorial was shoved into a corner.

"In 1942 or 1943, they put up this memorial with name tags in City Hall," said Dunbar resident Harold Craigo. "At that time, they had a gym and held dances upstairs."

Craigo, who served in the U.S. Army in 1944 and 1945, said one day he realized the monument was gone. It had been missing from its spot for several years when he brought the matter up at a City Council meeting.

"I mentioned it to council members three or four months ago," he said. "Police Chief (Bill) Moss said he had seen it and the police would restore it."

After getting the approval of Mayor Jack Yeager, Moss began asking for donations to cover the cost of materials and searching for volunteers to do the job.

Craigo, working with councilman Gail Harper, helped gather the missing names of veterans. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 119 picked up the $150 tab for the cost of restoration. Volunteers did the refurbishing.

A presentation of the memorial is to be held near Veterans Day.

The heptagon-shaped monument is about 7 feet tall and covered with glass donated by Mountaineer Glass. It now contains 414 names with room for more.

Moss worked on it with friends as well as his son, 11-year-old Isaiah, and other children who are part of the Kids Council Program.

A self-proclaimed history buff, Moss said he has learned a lot during the past couple of months spent on the project and believes the monument will serve as a valuable history lesson for the city's young people.

When the project was nearly finished, Moss was stumped regarding a finishing touch.

"Nobody remembered what went on top," he said.

Suggestions ranged from a light to an eagle.

Then the police chief's sister, Cathy Moss, found the perfect thing at an antique store: a lamp with an eagle.

Craigo said many of the names on the monument are people who have passed away. However, he and Moss believe it is important for their contributions to be remembered.

Those who have additional names to add to the monument can call 304-766-0220 or 304-766-0204.