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The courthouse renovation will provide space for county offices that currently are housed in rental properties, including the offices of the prosecuting attorney and public defender. The county plans to restore the third floor courtroom and erect a hall of honor paying tribute to county veterans from all wars.
"Let's make this a model that others would like to emulate, but more importantly, let us establish the recognition our veterans so rightly deserve," he said.
Wilson already has begun the task of gathering the names, photos and brief biographies of county residents who served in wars using genealogy and military databases.
In his research, Wilson has discovered a veteran of the Revolutionary War who later resided in the county, and a county resident who served in the War of 1812.
Other wars he is researching include the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and the War on Terror.
Wilson is seeking community involvement in this project. He is seeking information from local historical societies and individuals interested in serving on a committee responsible for setting the criteria a veteran must meet to be honored.
The committee also will study other halls of fame to see how they were organized.
In addition to erecting and maintaining the hall of honor, Wilson said his longterm plans are to archive the information catalogued and make it available on the county's Web site.
He hopes eventually to make the veterans hall of honor committee a not-for-profit organization that will be responsible for maintaining the hall through donations.
Wilson also is seeking information from individuals who may have the names, pictures and/or biographies of veterans. Information may be sent to Wilson at 400 E. Locust, Room 206, Union, MO 63084. His e-mail address is towilson@franklinmo.net.
