War War II memorial lands state money

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DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — Money from the recently approved state capital bill will make one veteran's dream of a World War II memorial in central Illinois come true.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell has announced the planned memorial at Decatur's Scovill Park will get $250,000. That should pay the project's total cost.

A World War II veteran who died last year came up with the idea five years ago.

E.E. "Pete" Nicholls and a Vietnam War veteran did research to find World War II casualties from Macon County. Around 300 names will go on the memorial.

Nicholls' widow, Betty, says the grant announcement — which coincided with the 65th anniversary of D-Day — was wonderful news. If his father were still alive, Nicholls' son, Peter, says he'd be "dancing in the streets."

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Information from: Herald&Review, http://www.herald-review.com