ARLINGTRON, VIRGINIA (AP) -- As the women who served in World War II are dying off, the women's military memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is running short of funds.

The memorial continues to get a steady flow of visitors, but the deaths of about three-quarters of the 400,000 women who served in World War II has left the memorial without many of its benefactors.

The remaining organizers are hoping a new generation of women in the military will keep the memorial open so military women's stories won't be lost.

The recession and a decline in bookstore sales at the memorial have made it harder to raise the private dollars that make up a large share of the memorial's $2.7 million annual budget.

It has gotten a $1.6 million congressional appropriation and a special fundraising drive brought in $250,000, but one board member says paying bills remains a challenge.

The memorial continues to get a steady flow of visitors, but the deaths of about three-quarters of the 400,000 women who served in World War II has left the memorial without many of its benefactors.

The remaining organizers are hoping a new generation of women in the military will keep the memorial open so military women's stories won't be lost.

The recession and a decline in bookstore sales at the memorial have made it harder to raise the private dollars that make up a large share of the memorial's $2.7 million annual budget.

It has gotten a $1.6 million congressional appropriation and a special fundraising drive brought in $250,000, but one board member says paying bills remains a challenge.

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