Members of Soddy-Daisy's Wall of Honor board are seeking new applicants to be considered for the monument. Located in Soddy-Daisy's Veterans Park, the wall recognizes the men and women of Soddy-Daisy who have served their country either in the military or as a member of the city's fire or police departments.
Soddy-Daisy's Wall of Honor board is accepting applications for new honorees to be recognized with plaques at its next ceremony at Veterans Park May 5 at 10 a.m. From left are board members Geno Shipley, who also sits on the City Commission, Jim Penny, Patti Skiles, Robert Cothran and Wayne Maillard.The board will hold a ceremony to recognize the new honorees May 5 at 10 a.m.
The wall is open to anyone who has served in the military or is now in the military with a minimum of three years of active duty, said Robert Cothran, member of the Wall of Honor board and president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 942. The VVA chapter came up with the idea for the wall, which was dedicated Nov. 12, 2011.
"We thought it was important for us to have it here in Soddy-Daisy because we love our veterans and wanted our future generation to know what their fathers, grandfathers, mothers and grandmothers did for their country," he said, adding that the wall is a place to honor both the living and those who have passed. "It's not just a wall with our name on it - it's a little history of what they did and where they did it."
Applicants provide information on the honoree's service and board members choose the most pertinent facts to be included on the plaque. Members of the same family can be grouped together at the request of the applicant, said board member Wayne Maillard.
Each plaque is $75, which covers the cost of the plaque, up to five lines of laser engraving, installation of the plaque and maintenance of the wall, said Cothran.
Honorees already on the wall span from Civil War veterans to those who served in Iraq, as well as local fire and police personnel.
"If you served your country and had an honorable discharge, we want your name on the wall," said Cothran.