RICHMOND, Va. -- The World War II Shrine of Memory glass wall at the Virginia War Memorial now has one more name added to its list. The latest addition is James Milton Parrish, killed in action more than 70 years ago.
When Milton Parrish, of Midlothian, realized his cousin's name wasn't included on the memorial he got to work.
"It's a slow process but I wasn't in a rush. You know you uncover things and you go down this trail, and this trail, said Parrish.
James M. Parrish served as a private in the 94th U.S. Army Infantry Division under General George Patton in Europe. He was listed Missing in Action in February of 1945 and his body was later recovered and is buried in Portsmouth.
When Parrish learned his cousin's name was not on list he had to come up with several documents including presenting the Purple Heart Award.
"I submitted that to these folks and that with the obituary, I think met the three criteria," said Parrish.
Jeb Hockman, of the Virginia War Memorial added, "it's a process and it has to be historically proven that somehow it was left off so this sort of amazing to see this done today and I know it's making his family very happy."
The name was sandblasted into the glass and the process was done in fifteen minutes, but Parrish said he knows that James Milton Parrish will be honored for much longer.
"It's the least I could do . The least I could do. Proud to do it,” he said.
Milton, who was named after his cousin, said James M. Parrish is now also honored with a bench on the Memorial Walk at the Virginia Veteran's Cemetery in Amelia.
