May 1 groundbreaking set for Veterans Wall

The Lima City Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Veterans Wall of Honor at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in front of the main entrance at Lima Senior High School.

The ceremony is open to the public. Donors and veterans who have submitted their names to be included on the wall have been invited to attend.

The black granite wall will stand six and a half feet tall. It will include six panels on each side that can each hold 280 names. It will be located near the front of Lima Senior and include graduates of Lima Senior, South and Central High Schools who served active duty in the military.

About 600 names have been collected for the wall so far. The wall is large enough that the district can continue to add names long into the future.

The district is working with Johns Memorials to create the wall. Owner Bob Johns, a veteran and Lima Senior graduate, will speak at the ceremony.

Elite Builders General Contracting has donated the supplies and manpower to install the footers to begin the project. The cost of this portion of the project is $8,340. Owner Jared Bennett will also speak at the ceremony.

Nearly 60 donations have made the veterans wall possible, those contribution ranging from $25 to over $10,000. The initial cost of the wall is about $70,000. It is being solely paid for with donations. No district funds will be used.

The Lima City Schools Foundation is administering the donations and has also donated to the project. The Lima Senior Class of 1966 donated just over $10,000. Those donating at least $5,000 will be included on a plaque that will hang inside Lima Senior. Those will include the Lima Eagles Aerie 370, Lima Rotary Club, Buckeye Floor and Ceiling, Smith Boughan, the Edgar L and Dorthy J Riker Family, and Kesler Family

The wall is expected to be completed by Veterans Day. The groundbreaking ceremony will include, speakers, Lima Senior students, Lima Senior Spartanaires and a Color Guard.

Veterans can still get their names on the wall by completing a form. Family members are welcome to submit names of deceased alumni. A digital form can be accessed at www.limacityschools.org. Go to the “Community” tab and find “Veterans Wall of Honor.”

Fundraising efforts will continue, as there will be costs as the district adds additional names in the future. Questions about donations should be directed to Beth Jokinen at 419-996-3411 or bjokinen@spartan.limacityschools.org