25-05-2025
WWII wall ceremony June 6
ASHLAND A long-awaited project is almost ready for a grand reveal.
On Friday, June 6 — on the 81st anniversary of D-Day — the tarps covering the World War II Memorial Wall will be removed, and the much-anticipated display will be dedicated in a ceremony at 5 p.m.
The 'Honoring Heroes' memorial will recognize Boyd Countians who served in World War II. The wall is at the corner of 17th Street and Carter Avenue.
Cheryl Spriggs and Ashland Rotary have stuck with the project for years — despite several hurdles along the way.
'It's going to be a wonderful place for people to come and see,' Spriggs said. 'I think there will be a lot of tourism here.'
Spriggs said countless volunteers ultimately made the wall a reality.
W.B. Fosson & Sons, Inc., managed the project. Jeremiah Adkins, a W.B. Fosson & Sons project manager, 'has been a jewel,' Spriggs said.
'I can't imagine how much this would have cost if we had to pay for all the work that has been donated by the community to get this done,' Spriggs said. 'It touches my heart that the community stepped forward like this.'
Tri-State Building Trades and Dixon Electric have played key roles. Scioto Block supplied material.
'It's been a great opportunity for Building Trades and our contractors to give back a little something to the community,' said John Holbrook, of Tri-State Building Trades. 'Dixon and W.B. Fosson have done all the work free of charge to the city.'
Holbrook and Spriggs credited Bricklayers Union Local 23 for all of their work.
On Friday morning, Willie Moon and Larry Miller, a veteran, were laying brick at the base of the poles as American and military flags whipped in the wind in front of them.
'A lot of volunteer labor, but it's for one of the best causes that we could provide for the city,' Moon said.
At the groundbreaking in August 2024, it was announced the wall would feature laser-etched names of 6,700 Boyd Countians who served in World War II. Young Signs was instrumental in this project, too.
Generous community donors — both through finances and labor — paved the way to the big day, which is now June 6. The event will be open to the public.
'This is the culmination of a lot of people working together to make this happen,' Spriggs said. 'It's going to be wonderful to honor these heroes.'
Spriggs said anyone wishing to place a 1-gallon freezer bag with memorabilia in a time capsule may do so for a $100 donation.
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