The Soddy-Daisy Wall of Honor board is looking for more local veterans, active military and first responders to add to the monument, located in Soddy-Daisy's Veterans Park. The board is holding a ceremony at the park to recognize new honorees Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m.
"We want to honor every veteran we can that lives in Hamilton County north and west of the river," said Robert Cothran, member of the Wall of Honor board and mayor of Soddy-Daisy.
Plaques on the Wall of Honor recognize veterans for service dating back to the Civil War, such as this plaque honoring William Alfred Lea. (Staff photo by Emily Crisman)The wall is also open to men and women who have served or are currently serving the city of Soddy-Daisy as police or firefighters, he said.
The deadline to submit information for new honorees to be recognized at the May ceremony is Friday, April 27.
The Wall of Honor was established by the local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 942, of which Cothran is also a member. It was dedicated Nov. 12, 2011, and the entire front side will be filled with plaques by the ceremony in May, said Cothran.
"It's important to me that we have a history of the people who honorably served our country," Cothran said. "We don't want to lose contact with what our veterans have done."
Applicants provide information on the honoree's service, including dates of service and any awards received, preferably along with the nominee's DD214 military service record. Wall of Honor board members then verify the accuracy of the information and choose the most important facts to be included on the plaque.
For each plaque there is a one-time fee of $75, which covers the cost of the plaque, engraving, installation of the plaque and maintenance of the wall, said Cothran, adding that people who cannot afford to pay the fee should still apply.
"We have a way to take care of that," he said. "We don't want to leave anyone out just for that."
To apply for a family member or yourself to be honored on the wall, visit vva942.com to submit an application online, or call Cothran at 718-1735 or Wall of Honor board Chairman Wayne Mailliard at 505-7221.