USO Performances Kickoff Final Fundraising Effort For WWII Memorial

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Visitors to Market Square were treated to swing music of the 1940's Thursday afternoon, in the style of USO performances.

It was the kickoff of the final fundraising effort for a long-awaited World War II Memorial - granite, stone and glass - slated for Riverfront Park on the South Side.

Government, private and foundation funding have raised more than $4 million. But memorial fundraiser Lynn Griffin says they're still $350,000 short.

"We know that the public wants to be part of this," said Griffin. "We know that, like myself, there are many daughters and sons of World War II veterans, grandchildren of World War II veterans, who want to be able to say that I contributed."

She hopes the memorial will be up by spring. World War II veteran John Manfredi hopes so, too.

"I'm 87-years-old. And I hope to see that monument before I pass," he said.

Fellow vet George Herwig says it's long overdue.

"We need something for us before all of our guys are gone," said Herwig. "And we're going fast."

Veteran Howard Pfeiffer gets the final word.

"Get this through your head: I'm not leaving until it's done. So get with it," he added.

For more information, log on to: www.swpawwii.org

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