THERE'S ONE WOMAN ON THE LIST OF NAMES ON THE WAR MEMORIAL
September 10, 2008 12:27 am

By RUSTY DENNEN


Today, the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial still resembles a construction site, but it should be ready for Saturday's dedication.

Bricks are going in on a commemorative walkway leading to the memorial this week, and construction crews are cleaning the granite pillars.

David Ellis, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel with the Fredericksburg Area Veterans Council, which is heading up the project, said it's looking good.

"This may not be as impressive as the Smithsonian, but it's beyond anything anticipated 10 years ago" when the project was first conceived, he said.

"They will not be forgotten," he said of the local soldiers, sailors, aviators and Marines who died while serving their country. There's one woman on the list: Annie Dade Reveley of Orange County, an Army nurse who died of influenza in World War I.

Already, a couple of changes and corrections are in the works.

Engravers left out part of one name, William R. Clatterbuck, who was killed in World War II; it appeared as William R. Clatte.

And one name will be added: Marine 1st Lt. Jason Mann of Stafford County was killed when a roof collapsed on him in Afghanistan in July.

Also, World War II headings are being added on columns where those names are continued.

Still to be added to the monument facing Barton Street are the emblems of each branch of the military, and on the capstone on the opposite side, the words, "Memorial to our Fallen Heroes."

There are blank panels to add the names of future fallen warriors.

Ellis said Gov. Tim Kaine will attend the dedication. Keynote speaker will be Retired Rear Adm. Robert H. Shumaker. Others on the program include Fredericksburg Mayor Tom Tomzak, First District Rep. Rob Wittman of Westmoreland County and Del. Mark Cole of Spotsylvania County.


Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com

Ellie