By Jon Johnson
PIMA — The Town of Pima has reached a major milestone with the completion of key construction on its long-awaited World War II Memorial at the corner of Main Street and 100 South.
Peterson Landscaping has completed the landscaping phase, including tree planting, grass installation, brick walkways, rockwork, and landscaping around the flagpoles. Earlier work included pouring concrete, installing multiple flagpoles, and constructing a block wall. A pad has also been prepared on the same site for the future Pima Library building.
The memorial pays tribute to the 27 men from Pima who died while serving in World War II. With only 867 residents according to the 1940 U.S. Census, the town lost approximately 3% of its population during the war, one of the highest per-capita losses of any community in the United States. The project, commonly known as the “Pima 27 Memorial,” will serve as a permanent reminder of that heavy sacrifice in this small Graham County town. A second name of the “Gold Star Memorial” has also been proposed.
When fully completed, the memorial will feature a monument against the flagposts with the names of all 27 men etched into it, a statue in the middle of the monument, benches, and a mural adorning the back block wall.
A Community-Driven Project Years in the Making
The memorial has been a community priority for years, aimed at honoring local veterans and educating younger generations about the true cost of freedom.
A major boost came in 2024 when the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties awarded the town a $113,400 grant.
The new memorial builds on an earlier veterans flagpole dedicated at Heritage Park in 2011. C.B. Fletcher, who spearheaded that earlier effort, has long noted that Pima suffered the highest per capita loss of life in World War II of any municipality in the country.
Town Manager Vernon Batty has overseen the final construction stages. The completed design includes granite slabs etched with the names of the 27 fallen servicemen, brick flooring, a paved parking area, and a large mural along the block wall. Plans also include a sculpture or monument element for the centerpiece.
New Opening Target: Veterans Day 2026
Officials had hoped to open the memorial by Memorial Day 2026, but the schedule was adjusted because local artist Brandt Woods, who was commissioned to paint the mural, is currently committed to another project outside the Gila Valley and will not be available until late summer or early fall.
Batty said Peterson Landscaping has completed the grass installation and the brick walking paths, after which the remaining amenities will be added. The current target is to open the memorial to the public on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2026.
The memorial is located at approximately 104 S. Main St., directly across from Pima Elementary School. It will share the lot with the future library, creating a central community space dedicated to remembrance, learning, and gathering.
A Lasting Legacy for Pima
The project evolved from earlier student-designed concepts at Pima High School and was relocated to this prominent Main Street location for greater visibility and impact.
Once fully completed, the WWII Memorial and the adjacent library will stand as twin symbols of Pima’s resilience — honoring the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation while investing in education and community life for future generations.
The finished memorial will give residents and visitors a dedicated place to reflect on local history, pay respects to the fallen, and participate in town events.
The completion of major construction marks an important step forward in preserving Pima’s proud heritage at the corner of Main Street and 100 South.
