KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — When Sharp's Ridge Veterans Memorial Park was established in 1953, it was meant to honor the military service of community members in Knox County. But, it did not have information about veterans who served on the park's grounds.
Over the weekend, that will change when leaders unveil new trailheads that honor the military service of specific people in the community. Those trailheads share those veterans' stories.
"I'm taking that opportunity now, to make sure veterans are never forgotten," said Marilyn Childress, the president of the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation. "We have finally got something up on the park that will show the public that this truly is a veterans memorial park, and we get to honor these veterans."
The Veterans Heritage Site Foundation started the trailhead project around two years ago. Now, eight information boards are spread throughout the park.
"When people are walking, they can stop and read about the different veterans that represent Tennessee, from The Civil War all the way through now," said Childress.
The boards are meant to help veterans' legacies live on, helping families and veterans alike find pride.
"Having Frankie's name posted up so other people can read about his sacrifice and legacy. It just brings a lot of pride to our family that his memory is not being forgotten," said Franz Walkup, the brother of a veteran honored on the information boards.
A dedication ceremony for the new information boards will be at 11 a.m. on Aug. 17, at Sharp's Ridge Veterans Memorial Park's overlook. The event is open to the public.
"It's really kind of nice to be recognized and proud that our families can share with that, with us," said Kimberly DiDomenico, a veteran who appears on the information boards.
