County to take on war memorial

With the remaining members of the Crook County War Memorial Committee now in their 90s, the committee has asked the county to continue the care and maintenance of the war memorial on the courthouse lawn.

County Attorney Joe Baron introduced Earl Gray to the county commissioners during their Wednesday morning meeting, saying, “He helped when they mixed concrete to build the original one back in 1945. He’s ready to pass the torch and deposit the funds with the county.”

Lifetime Crook County residents and veterans Earl Gray, Mary Ruland and Wally Elwonger are the last of the war memorial committee that originally included Bob Jahnig, Ted Dendy, Bill Semlek, Rodney Jahnig, Loren O’Haver and Dale Ruland (Mary’s late husband). These individuals saw the inception of the memorial for WWII veterans in 1945 and have been involved with and were later responsible for the monolith on the north lawn of the Crook County Court House for more than two score years.

When this committee started, there were no records of those who served and the effort expended to find the names of Crook County’s sons and daughters was extensive. According to an article written by committee member Dale Ruland in November 1989, “We were determined to go for broke and honor those who served.”

Gray had met previously with the commissioners in an effort to reach an agreement as this type of responsibility is not usually under the auspices of local government, according to Crook County Attorney Joe Baron.

However, the governing body has initiated a new committee to take the reins and, with the contract rewritten to everyone’s satisfaction, a letter of agreement that is effective for 50 years was signed by the commissioners and Gray and will be signed by the Sundance City Council at their June meeting. Baron said that the town is involved because they provide such items as lighting and sidewalks.

Crook County Clerk Linda Fritz told the commissioners that the line item through which the memorial funds will be tracked falls under the facilities budget. Commissioner Jeanne Whalen further guaranteed that the funds will not be accessible without approval, guarding the money for the intended use.

She added another consideration: “This is good because when people give you donations, they can take it off their taxes; they get a receipt.”

“As a daughter of a veteran, it is important,” Whalen went on, recognizing the value of the multi-faceted monolith. “It means a lot to these people and their families.”

Commissioner Fred Devish also expressed his appreciation for the longtime efforts by Gray and his companions. “That’s pretty special,” he said.

Baron noted that the process of incorporating all committee action will take time, but the transfer to the new guard has begun.