WWII memorial construction `on schedule'

VFW Magazine, May, 2002 by Tim Dyhouse

Nine months into a projected 30-month operation, construction of the national World War II Memorial is progressing on schedule.

Workers began building the foundation in February. In March, Michael G. Conley, associate executive director of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), said, "We don't expect to begin installation of the granite for at least another year." Dedication is planned for spring 2004. The memorial is a joint venture of Tompkins Builders and Grunley-Walsh Construction, both of Washington, D.C.

Conley says that ABMC has "wrapped up all major fund-raising activity" after collecting some $180 million--$80 million more than the target amount. He said all excess money will remain in the WWII Memorial Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury "solely to benefit the memorial or programs associated with it."

For more information, access the Web site www.wwiimemorial.com.