American Legion Auxiliary Unit 70 of Troy has long recognized the service of deceased veterans of Pike County. The Auxiliary members believe that is their mission, said Katie Hale, auxiliary president.

“We want these men and women to be remembered always,” she said. “We remember them with the American flags that are flown on all patriotic holidays at Bicentennial Park in Troy and on the Veterans Memorial Wall at the park.”

With Memorial Day just a couple of months away, Hale said now is an opportune time for the family members of deceased veterans to remember their service with American flags or by placing their names on the Memorial Wall.

“The name plaques for the Memorial Wall would have to ordered by the end of the month in order to get them back in time for the Memorial Day Service on May 31,” Hale said. “Memorial Day is such a meaningful time to add names to the wall and we will have a short service for each veteran whose name is added.”

The plaques are $100 each and the Auxiliary needs the name, rank and war in which the veteran served for the name plaque and in order to plan the service if one is desired by the family.

“The service doesn’t have to be on Memorial Day,” Hale said.

“The Auxiliary will be glad to do it at any time. And, if the family doesn’t want a service that’s all right, too. We’ll do however the family wants.”

The memorial American flags are $25 each and the deceased veteran’s name is inscribed on the flagpole.

“We have more than 300 memorial flags for display at Bicentennial Park,” Hale said.

“They fly as reminders of the many Pike Countians who have served.”

Those who would like to purchase a memorial American flag or have the name of a deceased veteran placed on the Memorial Wall may contact Hale at 808-4161 or Faye Pittman at 566-8849 for more information. Jean Gibson is the project coordinator.