U.S. Navy veteran James Edward Wilkins, who served on two submarines, helped unveil the new submarine memorial in Morris Saturday.
Twenty-eight submarines built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin went by Morris on the way to the Gulf of Mexico and ultimately the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Four were lost in action.
Mayor Richard Kopczick says it’s an honor to have the memorial in his city.
The Submarine Veterans USS Chicago Base put the monument southwest of the Grundy County courthouse by the Illinois and Michigan Canal. You can hear all of the dedication event here:
St. Rep. David Welter says it’s a beautiful monument that that recalls a time when America came together. Cong. Adam Kinzinger described how hard it was to serve on a sub for months at a time and how special the men who have done it are. They and others were there for the unveiling Saturday.
The west side of the submarine memorial in Morris.
The east side of the submarine memorial in Morris.
Morris Mayor Richard Copczick speaks at the submarine memorial dedication.
St. Rep. David Welter at the submarine memorial dedication.
Cong. Adam Kinzinger at the submarine memorial dedication.