If Anthony and Lucille Perfett were alive today, it's a pretty safe bet they would be thrilled with the Mercer County World War II Memorial.

County officials and dozens of veterans were in Mercer Thursday for the official groundbreaking of the proposed $100,000 memorial that will be built near the southeast corner of the Mercer County Courthouse.

"I think it's a real tribute and it's recognition that certainly should be recorded and people should be aware of it," Dr. Alfred A. Perfett, one of five Perfett siblings to have served in World War II, said Thursday from his Hazen Road home in Sharpsville.

Perfett was a radioman second class in the Navy. Two brothers, Sgt. Michael Perfett and Cpl. William Perfett, each served in the Army; a third brother, 1st Lt. Raymond Perfett, served in the Army Air Force; and a sister, Maj. Constance Marie (Perfett) Knight, served in the Army Nurses Corp.

All may eventually find their names engraved in the bricks that will make up the memorial, which is being constructed in two phases because of financial constraints, Mercer County Director of Veterans Affairs Gary Solander said.

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