Hempfield War Memorial Clock Project
Honor/Memorial Brick Inscription Form
Click here to download the form in PDF Format
(Free Adobe Reader required)

Historic Clocks Being Salvaged in Nick of Time
This week the street clock restoration team from the well-known Columbia firm, GLOBAL TIME WIZARD, began dismantling the Landisville and Salunga World War II street clocks memorializing 218 local residents who served in World War II. As the clocks are dismantled it is clear that assistance arrived just in the nick of time; the steel base of the Bank street clock in Landisville is nearly completely rusted through. Chief restorer, historian Larry K. Laird, states that the copper, steel and stained glass clocks are supported by “a wing, a prayer, rust and lots of gravity.” The clocks are so badly corroded that they are being removed one piece at a time, beginning with the fragile stained glass dials, commemorative lower glass panels with the wording “honoring all who served,” and sheets of the copper case holding the clocks together. Restorers are removing rocks thrown thru the stained glass years ago as well as buckets of dust deposited in the clocks by passing traffic. When relocated to their current sites the clocks were not dust or waterproofed because that technology was not then available. When restored the clocks will be airtight and controlled by a computer and satellites so that they will be automatically reset and always be accurate to the nearest second.

Both clocks will be restored by a large professional team during the next six months at GLOBAL TIME WIZARD headquarters in Columbia, PA. Nearly twenty people, including steel workers, stained glass restorers, clocksmakers chemists and painters; most from local specialized businesses, will spend thousands of hours meticulously restoring these monuments. Restoration includes replacement of all corroded steel, then powder-coating it inside and out. The copper exterior will be polished to return it to its original color. The cobalt blue and white milk glass dials and other stained glass will be returned to its original condition as well, with all numbers and labels being repainted by hand. Initial cleaning indicates that the results will be spectacular.

The original bronze plaques listing the 218 local Salunga and Landisville World War II veterans will also be removed, cleaned and placed on new bases to support the clocks. Plans also include construction of a new memorial park at the Hempfield Fire Department Community Park.

Fundraising efforts continue in earnest; approximately 58% of the total estimated cost of restoring the clocks and building the memorial garden has been raised to date. Numerous opportunities for participation and involvement exist.

How can I participate?
Outright donations will be most appreciated and may be designated toward the Memorial Garden or specifically for the Memorial Clock Restoration Project. While memorial bricks will be sold for $60.00 each, larger contributions are encouraged and will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged.

Who should participate?
Everyone is encouraged to participate, individuals, families, service organizations and businesses alike. By financially participating in this project, you are contributing two lasting memorials to our World War II soldiers through the Memorial Clock restoration project, as well as assisting in construction of the Memorial Garden, a lasting tribute to service.

Participation Levels

Contributors in each level of participation will be appropriately recognized and thanked during the Dedication Ceremony scheduled for November 11, 2007, through personal acknowledgement and recognition in the Dedication program.