OUR VIEW: Veterans wall is nice addition

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Lisa Simpson Strange

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November 14, 2009

Staff report The Glasgow Daily Times Sat Nov 14, 2009, 02:18 PM CST

GLASGOW — The annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Glasgow continues to attract a solid crowd.

People came from areas inside and outside of Barren County to celebrate and honor those who have served our country, and our county, during times of conflict.

They lined the public square and took photos and video as marching bands from Barren County High School, Glasgow High School and Glasgow Middle School led soldiers to Beula Nunn Park.

Some were certainly there for the bands, or the color guard, or the firemen, or the police officers, or even the junior ROTC, but none turned away before those brave men marched up the hill to take their seats near the fountain.

This year there was something different awaiting those who had made the long march up that hill, and through life, to get to that moment. A wall was unveiled that had plaques recognizing those who have served their country.

The Barren County-Glasgow Veterans Wall of Honor was initially proposed before the Glasgow City Council in July by councilman Doug Isenberg, himself a veteran. Glasgow citizen W.S. Everett had also pushed for the city having such a tribute to veterans. It was a very thoughtful and long overdue idea.

The wheels had begun to turn. A committee was formed under the direction of Mayor Darrell Pickett that consisted of Bobby Travis, Joel Wilson, W.S. Everett, Walter A. Baker and E.P. Barlow Ropp. Isenberg and fellow councilman and veteran Marlin Witcher are ex-officio members of the committee.

Isenberg’s ambition in August was to have from 400 to 500 plaques ready for display by the unveiling Wednesday. There were 385 ready and placed by the time of the parade, but there are around 100 more applications still to be cleared.

The wall at Beula Nunn Park can hold around 2,500 plaques, which means there is still plenty of space for now without having to build another wall. There are certainly plenty more names to be added and there is still time for people to provide information on their Barren County veteran.

Here’s how: Get an application from the city clerk’s office or chamber of commerce, fill it out and return it with proof of service. If the applicant doesn’t have proof of service, otherwise known as the military form DD214, proof can be obtained from the county clerk’s office. A $40 fee pays for the plaque and engraving, which will include the name and branch of service of each individual.

The process for selecting names for the plaques is considered to be a “perpetual process,” which means there is no termination time. Also of note is that the wall isn’t just for Barren County natives. It can include those who are veterans who have lived in Barren County at some point in time.

Councilman Isenberg said during another council meeting, “It’s going to be a wonderful project for the city.”

We couldn’t agree more. It was certainly wonderful when unveiled last week.

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