9/11 memorial plan moving forward in Wauconda, but officials aren't happy with proposed plaque inscription
Wauconda officials have formally approved the design of a memorial that will honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
They stopped short, however, of greenlighting the wording of a plaque that will specifically recognize the sacrifice of a Lake County marine who was killed in combat three years after the terrorist attacks.
The marine, Pfc. Geoffrey Morris of Gurnee, died in Iraq in 2004. His father, former Gurnee Trustee Kirk Morris, has helped organize the memorial.
During a public discussion Tuesday night, Wauconda trustees said they thought the proposed inscription was too wordy. They also objected to the inclusion of Mayor Frank Bart's name on the plaque, saying no elected officials' names should appear in the text.
So, officials are going to put pen to paper and try again.
“We've got to step back and take another crack at that with Mr. Morris and see what we can come up with,” Village Administrator Doug Maxeiner told the Daily Herald on Wednesday.
Trustees still intend to honor Geoffrey Morris on the plaque, Maxeiner said.
“We've agreed to do that,” he said. “Just what the content of that plaque is remains to be seen.”
The proposed memorial will be built on village-owned land near the Wauconda police station, which is on Main Street south of Route 176. The focal point will be a beam from one of the World Trade Center buildings.
A foundation Kirk Morris created after his son's death acquired the beam. Morris agreed to share it with Wauconda if officials approve a memorial.
Morris said he wrote the proposed text for the plaque at Bart's request. The proposed inscription considered by the board Tuesday was merely a first draft, he said.
“I threw that together in 15 minutes,” Morris said. “We can edit it ... whatever people want to do.”
Morris said it's important for future visitors to the memorial to understand where the beam came from and why it's in Wauconda. A plaque that describes his son's military service and death will accomplish that, he said.