Decatur High School will introduce a Military Hall of Honor as a tribute to DHS graduate veterans. It is set to make its debut at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.

DISD Director of Communications, Holly Fuller began brainstorming in January with a committee of five other community members – Tim Woodruff, Tony Mooney, Melinda Reeves, Gay Trachta and Stephen Wren – about a tribute to the school’s veterans.

“Wise County has such a high veteran population; we thought it would be amazing to visually represent that number,” Fuller said.

To be included in the tribute, veterans or family members may fill out a form found on the district website, www.decaturisd.us. The committee oversees all entries, as well as production of the wall of honor.

“This will be a growing, living, breathing wall to honor those who served,” Fuller said.

The Hall of Honor will consist of an American flag hung on the wall in the second floor main hallway, which leads from the side parking lot to the gymnasium. A plaque listing the veterans’ names and graduation years will be on display beside the flag. Veterans will continue to be added as entries are submitted.

“The school has been open since 1913 so we expect hundreds of veterans coming from all generations, eventually,” Fuller said.

Woodruff plans to honor his oldest brother and father, as they both graduated from DHS and served in the military.

“The input I have received so far has been overwhelmingly positive,” Woodruff said. “I look forward to the day when we will be able to see this project come to fruition.”

Principal and Marine veteran Jeff Russell said he discussed the idea casually with staff members throughout the school year and saw an opportunity to further intertwine the school and community.

“When you walk to the school, it says above the doors ‘Enter to learn-Go forth to serve’ and this project justifies this statement,” Russell said. “This wall is a reminder to serve each other.”

Fuller initially expects approximately 100 submissions. She added that she is pleased it’s location is where many citizens will see it.

“I envision community members attending a basketball game or pep rally and saying ‘that’s my great-grandad!’” Fuller said. “The goal is a tribute to honor those who make us proud and honor the excellence that comes out of Decatur High.”

Published with permission of the Wise County Messenger