A vision to honor veterans who have lived in Powell took another step toward completion this month.

Bud Schrickling, American Legion Post 26 trustee, approached the Powell City Council to get their thoughts on a plan to place a Wall of Honor in front of the American Legion building.

“I understand the different locations have some pros and cons, and the best place in my mind is the Legion Hall,” Schrickling told the council.

While the council took no action, there was general support among the councilors for the location choice.

“We’re certainly willing to work with you and give you the approval to make this happen,” said Mayor John Wetzel.

The Powell chapter of the American Legion holds a 99-year lease with the City of Powell for its hall. City Administrator Zack Thorington said they would need to review the lease and possibly make amendments to accommodate the memorial, but he didn’t think that would be a problem.

The memorial might also need a building permit, Thorington said.

The Wall of Honor is intended to be a series of panels displaying every name of every person, living or dead, who has served in the military in the past 100 years and resided in Powell at any time.

“It doesn’t make a difference if you were a war veteran or a veteran in peacetime, we’re going to add your name up there,” Schrickling said, speaking after the meeting.

He estimates there could be well over 2,600 names. So far, the Legion has collected 2,200 names.

Schrickling presented conceptual drawings of the memorial to the council. The proposed design has five panels. One panel stands at the center, with two panels on each side, tilted at about a 45 degree angle to the center one.

Each panel is 9 feet high and 6 feet wide. The panels are raised so no names will be sitting against the ground, and that will leave room for snow. There is also space above the top for a banner. The names will fill 6 feet in the middle of the panel on tiles that are 1-foot by 1-foot. Each tile will hold about 16 to 18 names.

“This is all conceptual. We may change things,” Schrickling stressed.

Legion volunteers have been verifying the collected names with cemetery records, Legion records and DD214s — certificates of release or discharge from active duty.

Schrickling said the Legion is working with engineers to make sure the right materials are used to make for a solid construction.

“We don’t want it to topple over and damage a building or hurt someone,” he said.

The idea for the memorial began with the post’s previous commander, Jerry Clark. They’ve since received about $6,500 in donations and are continuing to look for more donations of cash, materials, or labor.

“Any help we can get, we sure appreciate it,” Schrickling said.

Legion representatives will be at the first council meeting on Aug. 5, where the council will consider any needed amendments and resolutions for the memorial. If all goes as planned, construction will begin in the spring next year, with a dedication ceremony on July 4.