Beech Tree News Network

On Monday morning, August 5, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5837 Ladies Auxiliary in Morgantown held a groundbreaking ceremony on the Butler County Courthouse lawn for the new "Walls of Honor " honoring veterans.

The Butler County Fiscal Court granted approval in May to the Ladies Auxiliary to enhance the existing VFW Monument on the south lawn of the courthouse.

"Many of the bricks were defaced and so much sand on them that you couldn't read the names," said Jennifer Odle, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

The Ladies Auxiliary had removed those bricks, had them cleaned and stored. The "Walls of Honor"  will be built on each side of the sidewalk where the bricks were originally laid extending to the Confederate-Union Veterans' Monument in the center of the lawn. The over 470 already dedicated bricks will be displayed on the walls.  New bricks are available for order at the cost of $40 per brick.  Each brick is 4 inch x 8 inch engraved with up to three lines of lettering with a maximum of 18 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation. This will be an ongoing process and being built so bricks can be added at any time.

You may also be a major contributor by making a donation of $500 or more and a plaque will be placed on the wall in your honor.

The "Walls" are being constructed by Eddie Coots. According to Coots, each wall will be approximately 36 ft. x 50" wide.

"There have only been two people - Jesus and veterans -  that have died for us. It is an honor to do this for the veterans and the Ladies Auxiliary has been awesome and wonderful to work with," stated Coots, as he explained the construction of the walls.

The Ladies Auxiliary has also taken on the perpetual care of the monument and walls honoring the soldiers.

"This is a large undertaking but one of great importance as we need not forget the men and women past and present who have left home and family putting their lives on hold so we may enjoy the freedom we have today," said Lynda Knight, VFW 5837 Ladies Auxiliary president.

For more information contact Lynda Knight at 270 999-0273