Brown University has announced a contribution of $50,000 to support the Rhode Island World War II Memorial. The memorial is to be dedicated Veterans Day, Sunday Nov.11, 2007.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Brown University has announced a contribution of $50,000 to support the Rhode Island World War II Memorial, a monument to be dedicated on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. The memorial commemorates the many Rhode Islanders who served the nation in World War II. The University made its contribution to honor and preserve the memory of the many Rhode Island veterans, including members of the Brown community, who served their country so heroically during the war.

“Brown is committed to contributing to the culture and economy of our state, and the World War II memorial will be a lasting reminder to future generations of those who sacrificed their lives and served their country during this critical time in our nation’s history,” said Brown President Ruth J. Simmons.

In February 1943, nearly 300 Brown students left campus for active duty, and other students, staff, and faculty members joined various branches of the armed forces, or left to serve in war advisory positions in Washington. Approximately 96,000 Rhode Islanders served in WWII.

The design selected for the memorial is in the form of a circular colonnade 16-feet in diameter with eight 140foot granite columns spaced three feet apart. The inside face of the column bases will be inscribed with the major battles and campaigns of the war. The granite floor of the monument will exhibit the world, in a Mercator projection, referencing the war’s major battles.

The location of the memorial is Memorial Park on South Main Street in Providence. The dedication ceremony will begin at 2:15 p.m on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007.

Editors: Brown University has a fiber link television studio available for domestic and international live and taped interviews and maintains an ISDN line for radio interviews. For more information, call the Office of Media Relations at (401) 863-2476.

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