The idea to create a tribute to those Powell residents who have served in the United States armed forces came to members of the Hughes-Pittinger American Legion Post 26 about three years ago. Following a brief spell of information overload, the organization got on the right track and began collecting names. It also started down the long road of concepts, that turned into engineering plans, that turned into blueprints.

From those blueprints, JW Hunt of Greybull donated the concrete for the footing. The metal frame was constructed during time donated by Fred McConahay, the owner of Bench Diesel Research. Marquis Awards and Specialities engraved the more than 2,500 names on 150 slabs of granite.

Those names, though, were not all brought to the Legion by members of the community.

Legion member John Fraser did the research using cemetery records, Post records and searching the archives of the Powell Tribune.

“All names were residents here at sometime and served in the military,” said Russell Stafford, Post 26 Commander.

The plaques were still going up as of Thursday, using an epoxy designed to bind granite to metal. This was all in preparation for the unveiling ceremony set for 4 p.m., on Oct. 14, at the Legion.

But even after the unveiling, the project isn’t finished.

Bud Schrickling, who is widely credited with being a driving force behind the project, said hopes are to add benches and shrubbery nearby the semi-circular monument.

“We want to create a park-like atmosphere, put in more walkways, as time and money allow,” Schrickling said in between helping carefully place the engraved black stone in the correct order.

Stafford said he knew it was likely some service members had been missed and their names omitted from the monument.

“We have room to add five panels on at a time,” he said. “If someone has been missed, they or their relatives should let the Legion know and they will be added later,” he said.