Memorial project finally finished.

The final page has been read in a book called remembrance, and one local man has the honor of shutting that book.

Don Cooper, military veteran and 32 year retired mail carrier, had the honor Tuesday of celebrating the final piece in his plan to remember those who serve our great country.

"This picture is of my dreams," said Cooper. "To have it posted here at City Hall."

The project started in 2004 and took 12 years to complete. The memorial, which now rests in Harrisburg's Sunset Cemetery, is now a part of the nostalgia that graces the walls of Harrisburg City Hall, just outside the city clerk's office.

Cooper spent a lot of time gathering donations for the project and working with city officials to get the work done. The placing of the photo took a total of two years to accomplish but according to Cooper, it was worth the wait.

"I had a lot of help from Vicky Mason, property commissioner of the cemetery," Cooper said. "As well as former Mayor Ron Morse."

The three statues that sit at the memorial statues, provided by Raleigh Ready Mix, cost close to $3,000 total to construct and install. Final touches and painting on the statues were completed this past year.

"Thank you to the police and fire departments of our community, they were a huge help," Cooper said.

The memorial consists of three statues, two male and one female, which guard over the Unknown Soldier graves at the cemetery.