STRATTON — The members of the Dead River Historical Society have announced that the Trustees of Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust awarded a grant of $1,000 to help replace a World War II memorial honoring the men of Stratton and Eustis who bravely served for the freedom of the country.

After the war a commemorative plaque was given by the Stratton/Eustis American Legion to honor these men: two lost their lives and one was held in a German prisoner of war camp. The plaque used to be on the Stratton Eustis Community Building and was given to the Dead River Area Historical Society to display.

The letters are so faded and fragile they can’t be touched for fear of losing the names altogether. The 108 names will be replaced in bronze so the plaque will last forever. It will be displayed in a glass case on the front of the museum for all to see year-round.

The Society was given an estimate from Adams Bros. Monument Co., Farmington, of $2,000. With this help from Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust, the group is halfway to its goal.