On Memorial Day in 2022, an idea from a napkin came to full fruition in Caldwell County, when the long-labored Fredonia Valley Veterans Memorial was revealed to the public.
Its design: made possible by hundreds of honorary bricks, a number of illuminated, hoisted flags and even more local veterans having served the US.
Now, state honors are coming to both the structure and the organization which helped make it happen.
Monday afternoon, officials with the Fredonia Valley Heritage Society were notified by the Kentucky Historical Society that their group, as well as their project, were respectively tabbed for 2023 Kentucky History Awards in a “Special” group/organization category, as well as “Class A Special Project.”
Those responsible for its erection and creation were invited for a Saturday, June 3 celebration and ceremony at the Thomas D. Clark Center in Frankfort for “Kentucky History Day” — which was formerly known as “Boone Day.” Doors open at 9 AM for a reception before the ceremony takes place from 9:30-11 AM.
Alongside a few other special projects, the Fredonia efforts will be recognized with a “Teacher of the Year” and some in-house publications awards, as well as awards in education, publication, service, an “Award of Distinction,” an “Award of Excellence,” and a “Lifetime Dedication to Kentucky History” nod.
Prior to each award, KHS representatives will briefly discuss the project winners.
In a May 2022 interview with WPKY and Your News Edge, Bro. Presley Lamm said sales of memorial bricks were “pushing 400,” and it’s far surpassed since.
Furthermore, this is just the first phase of this project. Lamm added there is growing promise of a pavilion behind the flag poles, and a desire for the 506 Cassidy Avenue location to become even more.
From May 30, 2022: