Three black granite panels honoring the veterans of each of America's 11 wars - from the American Revolution to the current war in Iraq - were lowered into place by crane. The main memorial will be surrounded by a concrete and granite plaza with flagpoles representing each branch of military service. The remainder of the construction is expected to take about two weeks, said Bill Morris, former Marine and commander of Durango Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031.

The memorial will be officially dedicated on Armed Services Day, May 17, rather than Memorial Day, because it is intended to honor all service men and women, living and dead, Morris said. In the meantime, Morris said organizers hope to continue to raise money toward the approximate $100,000 cost of the memorial through the sale of granite pavers and benches and flagpoles. The pavers also are intended to honor all veterans and active service people, and Morris stressed that they are not only for the fallen.

"It's not limited to residents of La Plata County, either," he said. "Anybody who wants to honor their father, mother, son or daughter anywhere in the country can purchase one, and they need the support, and we need the support. People need to get off their butts and stop talking about it - it's time to do something for vets."

World War II and Korean conflict veteran Tom Howley, who was the driving force behind the memorial beginning in the late 1990s, was moved to tears as the panels were lowered into place.

"There aren't many things that turn out better than you thought, but this is one of them," Howley said.

Anyone interested in purchasing a paver, bench or flagpole or donating to the Durango Veterans' Memorial can call Morris at 749-4897.

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