Mahoning County memorial to honor all Middle East veterans from 1975 on

A one-of-a-kind memorial is in the works for all veterans who served in the Middle East from 1975 to the present day.

The Mahoning Valley Middle East Memorial will be erected in Wickliffe Circle in Austintown in Mahoning County. It will be made out of 10,000 pounds of granite and will include 60 7-by 7-inch porcelain tile inlays.

Artist Raymond A. Simon has been commissioned to do the work. The massive granite memorial will cost about $75,000 for all materials and installation. Those desiring a sponsorship package can email their request to raysimon.rsi@gmail.com. Contributions can be made at any Farmers National Bank in care of the Mahoning Valley Middle East Memorial; or by logging on to Facebook and typing in the search b ∫ox which will direct you to the GoFundMe page. The Mahoning Valley Middle East Memorial is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

- By William Alcorn, The Vindicator