(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Memorials to honor those who served our country in the military are all over our region — and rightly so. Many can be found in city and county parks, as is the case for the memorial honoring submariners lost during World War II, at Mountwood Park.

It honors the service of all the submariners who served in that war, but particularly the crew of the USS Cisco SS 290, whose 76 officers and men were killed on Sept. 28, 1943, in an anti-submarine attack by enemy ships and aircraft. The memorial also lists all 52 submarines lost during World War II, noting the vessels, the 374 officers and 3,131 men aboard are “Still on Patrol.”

Those who understand the importance of such memorials must be vigilant in their upkeep. So, when it became obvious the torpedo at the memorial needed a touch-up, the folks at Pifer’s Towing and Recovery brought in a small crane to lift it onto a trailer. From there, it was taken to Federal Industrial Services, where it will be sandblasted, cleaned and repainted.

Both businesses are donating their time and services in the effort.

“Mountwood Park is grateful to have so many members of the community coming together to make this project a success,” said Wood County Parks Director Jeremy Cross. “The torpedo has needed painted for several years and soon, the public will be able to visit the park to see the finished product.”

Both businesses deserve our thanks for helping preserve such an important piece of our country’s history.

We join Cross in expressing his gratitude: “This is definitely something everyone can be proud of at Mountwood Park, and we thank everyone involved in making it happen.”