LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Lima City Schools broke ground on a new monument to honor alumni who have served in the military.
The Veterans Wall of Honor will be located outside the main entrance of Lima Senior High School and will recognize veterans who graduated from Lima Senior, Central, and South High Schools. The $70,000 project is being funded entirely through donations, with no district funds being used.
The idea for the wall began about three years ago with Tamara Wilson, executive director of Allen County Veterans Services and a Lima Schools alumna. Wilson said she is proud to see the concept become a reality.
“Many veterans didn't get the recognition that they needed or deserved, and this is just another way to thank our veterans and to show them that we appreciate everything they've sacrificed. It's outstanding. I feel great. I'm so honored to for Lima senior to accept this challenge and do it and see it come to life,” said Wilson.
The Veterans Wall of Honor will be located outside the main entrance of Lima Senior High School and will recognize veterans who graduated from Lima Senior, Central, and South High Schools.
Veteran and Lima Senior graduate Bob Johns, owner of Johns Memorial, is designing and building the wall, which will stand six and a half feet tall and be made of black granite.
“I have been doing these tombstones for in memorials for 53 years. So it's a great honor for me and my family to be able to erect this and to be a part of it, to the veterans that have served this country and deserve this honor,” said Johns.
Elite Builders is donating the installation of the footer for the Veterans Wall of Honor, which is expected to be completed this fall.
