Grateful Zippo employees gave back to their present and past in a big way Friday afternoon outside the Zippo/Case Visitor Center.

To honor the company's 75th anniversary, members of Zippo Manufacturing Co. presented a grand monument to Sarah Dorn, daughter of founder George G. Blaisdell, and her son, George Duke, current Zippo owner.

A flame-shaped etching depicts Duke's and Dorn's likenesses, along with a framed picture of George G. Blaisdell in the background. At the bottom, it reads, "To Sarah B. Dorn and George B. Duke, In Commemoration of Zippo's 75th Anniversary, Dedicated by Zippo and Case Employees and District Sales Reps, 2007."

The crowd of Zippo workers gasped as the sheet was removed from the shiny, black granite monument.

"Wow, that is really amazing," Duke said as he admired the gift.

Duke was appreciative of the employees' understanding of both the company's and his grandfather's heritage.

"Seventy-five years is an awful long time. Not a lot of companies survive that long," he said.

"We can't express our thankfulness."

However, Zippo's Chief Executive Officer Greg Booth found plenty of words to show his appreciation for the family.

"I thank you both for all that you do for our hometown of Bradford," he told Dorn and Duke as they watched close by.

"We've been thinking for months on how to commemorate this event, and I think we've found a way."

There was no trouble finding employees who wanted to show gratitude towards the family, according to Zippo's Debbie Curtin, who was chairwoman of the gift project.

"All the employees donated; we started over a year ago," she said. Employees of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. also gave money towards the present.

"It was amazing, the response of the employees. They were very receptive of it."

Wright Monumental Works handled the making of the one-of-a-kind marker.

"They etched it with this huge etching machine," Curtin said.

The employees gave so much money for the landmark that they ended up with a surplus. The excess cash, $2,000, was donated to one of Duke's "pet" charities: the SPCA.

Zippo's employee picnic coincided with the donation ceremony. Celebrating workers and their families packed large tents while a live band piped music into the air. Large setups for food and drinks filled the area, and games were being played on the lawn.

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