Donald Wright stands before the Lowenstine WWII Honor Wall on the northeast lawn of the courthouse square in downtown Valparaiso, circa 1944.

In 1943, the American Legion had an idea to erect a Roll of Honor on the east lawn of the courthouse square to commemorate the efforts of those from Valparaiso who served in World War II. Local resident and business owner Mandel Lowenstine was the lead benefactor.

Thirty-one years later, the memorial was reinstalled on the first floor of the 1871 Porter County Jail, then the brand-new home of the Porter County Museum, where thousands of visitors have scanned its names.

On December 10, in commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Lowenstine Roll of Honor will make a third home in the new PoCo Muse at 20 Indiana Avenue. Join us for light refreshments during the unveiling and stay for a 2p reading of local residents’ memories from December 7, 1941.