Gray, an Osage Indian and lifelong Oklahoma resident, created the design for the centerpiece.

"The City of Norman gave us two Challenge Grants of $50,000 each, and we came up with the matching funds," Goins said. "The county gave us $75,000."

The city council awarded Downey Construction, the general contractor, a $138,000 contract last June to begin work on the memorial.

Goins said hundreds of donors have contributed to the project, including Norman native and Hollywood actor James Garner who contributed his own funds. Garner was the first draftee from Oklahoma into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Veterans eligible for the free listing are any honorably discharged veteran who entered service from Cleveland County, an honorably discharged veteran who entered the service elsewhere but now lives in Cleveland County or one who now resides in Cleveland County.

Also an honorably discharged veteran who died while in the Norman Veterans Center or in the care of a relative who is a permanent resident of Cleveland County, any MIA or KIA (Missing in Action or Killed in Action) and any military personnel killed in the performance of their duty while stationed at any military installation in Cleveland County.

Applications are available from the Norman Parks Department, 201 W. Gray St., or online at www.normanfun.com. More information is available from the Parks Department at 366-5472.

Goins called the project a "very handsome memorial."

"It's going to be well received," he said.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com