In Wharton County, residents are rallying to restore the weathered veterans memorial outside the courthouse by next year, aiming to give it a durable granite finish as originally intended. The Citizens for the Restoration of the Wharton County Veterans Memorial has raised $66,000 of its $100,000 goal to honor the county’s veterans, including 109 who never returned home. Planned updates include enlarging the memorial’s eternal flame and repairing damaged donor bricks.The group hopes to rededicate the site on Memorial or Veterans Day next year.