SCHAEDLER YESCO HELPS HARRISON TOWNSHIP HONOR HEROES IN BRIGHT LIGHTS
HARRISON TWP, PA – In 1942, the families of WWII servicemen and women started to plan a monument for those fighting for their freedoms. It wasn’t until the war was over did they raise enough money to build the Honor Roll that held the names of friends, family, and neighbors who made it home -- and those who didn’t.
In Fall 2020, 6 years after the initial plea to the township to refurbish the sacred monument, it was rededicated for the third time in over 75 years.
“It really was a mess,” said Bill Randolph, 84-year-old committee member and lifelong resident of Harrison Township, located in Allegheny County, PA. “It looked ok from the street, but when you looked closely, it was falling apart.”
The original monument cost $4200 in 1945. The 2020 refurbishment was upward of $80,000. While the township shared in the expense, a great deal of the cost was covered by fundraising and gifts. The rededication occurred on October 29, 2020 with only two named service members on the memorial still alive and in attendance. Both have since passed away.
“Getting here was a community effort,” explained Gary Meanor, Harrison Township Commissioner and employee of Schaedler Yesco. “When it came time to plan the lighting last year, Schaedler Yesco wanted to help. After all, the company doesn’t just work here; this is their community too.”
At the end of 2022, the company donated products and worked with local contractors to install the new lighting, finally completing the restoration and providing the finishing touch to the important monument.
“We’ve had so many wonderful comments about how great the memorial looks,” said Randolph. “Especially at night!”