The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Cpl. Evan James Memorial Shelter House at the ball park is almost done.
The La Harpe park board advertised for bids for the shelter house in July 2003.
Bids were read at their August meeting with John Link Construction coming in as low bidder.
Marine Cpl. Evan James died in the war in Iraq on March 24, 2003 while attempting to cross the Saddam Canal. Evan James and fellow Marine Sgt. Brad Korthaus drowned while swimming the canal. Two other Marines made it across safely.
Evan was a 2000 graduate of La Harpe High School. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville before taking the spring semester off to work as a Marine Recruiter.
Evan played Thunder football and basketball, and he had also been a life guard at the La Harpe swimming pool.
Evan's family wanted to do something for the community with the money that was donated to Evan's memorial.
Since he had been a life guard at the La Harpe swimming pool, they thought it only fitting to give the money to the La Harpe Park District to be used for the shelter house in his memory.
The shelter should be completed this week , and picnic tables will be added later.