American Legion Auxiliary initiates veterans walkway project
Published 3:00 am Friday, May 22, 2015
American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 70 in Troy has a project underway that will recognize all veterans with a Pike County connection and also enhance the upgrade to Bicentennial Park in Troy.
Katie Hale, Auxiliary commander, said the City of Troy is planning an upgrade to the park and the Auxiliary will take the opportunity to implement a project that has been on the drawing board for several months.
“Families often come to the Auxiliary to request that the name of a loved one that has served or is serving in the armed forces be placed on ‘the Wall’ at Bicentennial Park,” Hale said. “But ‘the Wall’ is a memorial wall for deceased Pike County veterans. The names of living veterans cannot be placed on a memorial wall.”
Hale said the Auxiliary wanted to find a way that all veterans could be honored with some type of nameplate.
“What we decided was to construct a brick walkway at Bicentennial Park with inscribed bricks,” she said. “The name of any veteran from any of the five branches of the military that is living, retired or deceased can be inscribed on a brick for the walkway.
“A veteran doesn’t have to live in Pike County to have his or her name on a military service brick. They can live in New York or California. It doesn’t matter.”
The bricks for the Veterans’ Walkway are $50 each and may be inscribed with a veteran’s name, rank, branch of military service and the theater of war or the years served.
To order a brick, include the above information along with a check made out to American Legion Auxiliary Unit No.70 and mail the information and the check to 212 E. Walnut Street, Troy, AL 36081.
Questions about the project may be directed to 334-808-4161.