PIMA — The memorial to the 27 Pima men who lost their lives fighting for their country in World War II may finally be getting closer to reality.
During the most recent meeting of the Town Council, the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties presented the town with a check for $113,400 to begin development of the memorial.
“The United Way has been very good to us,” said Pima Town Manager Vernon Batty.
There were 867 residents of Pima according to the 1940 U.S. Census. The 27 men who died during World War II represented 3 percent of the town’s population which, on a per capita basis, was the greatest loss of life by any city or town in the United States during the war.
The concept of a memorial was initiated by a Pima resident who donated $10,000 under the condition of anonymity.
The park will feature a desert landscape, to reduce maintenance and watering costs. It will feature seven flag poles — one for each branch of the military services and one each for police and fire services.
Under the design by Pima High School students Hannah Lofgreen and Analicia Sanchez, approved by the Town Council in 2021, there will be three memorial stones — one with the names of the men killed during the war, one with an image of a bell, and the third thanking all who contributed to the memorial.
The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties makes grants to nonprofit, educational and governmental organizations thanks to donations from Freeport-McMoRan and Freeport employees; employees of the City of Safford, Town of Thatcher and Graham County; and individual donors.
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