Wall of Honor

Community recognizes war veterans

(ROCKWALL, TX — November 2, 2017) On the wall across from the theater room at Liberty Heights Gracious Retirement Living hang honorary plaques for each of the residents who served in the military, surrounding two words that embody their sacrifice for our country: “Our Heroes.”

This is the Wall of Honor, dedicated to recognizing the 28 war veterans currently residing at the independent living community.

For the past several months, the staff at Liberty Heights has been working to remodel the wall and on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., the public is invited to witness the unveiling of the brand new Wall of Honor. Prior to the wall reveal, the American Legion Terry Fisher Post 117 of Rockwall will conduct a small ceremony. After the unveiling, folks are invited to the activity room for a veterans reception with light refreshments, coffee and socializing.

Donna Stauffer with the management team at Liberty Heights said they’ve been working to get current portraits made of each of the veteran residents to go on the wall, and have also been collecting military emblems and old pictures of the veterans during their time of service to display with the portraits. To make the wall more visible to both residents and visitors alike, Stauffer said they will relocate the Wall of Honor to the dining area next to the lobby.

“We wanted to make the wall more visible because we’re so proud of our veterans and want to make it something everyone can see,” Stauffer said. “Our veterans spend six hours a day in the dining room, so if they can see it six hours a day, every day, that’s awesome!”

According to Stauffer, Liberty Heights is one of many Hawthorn Retirement Group communities across the country that displays a Wall of Honor in recognition of veteran residents.

“Hawthorn Retirement communities are proud to be called home by hundreds of veterans throughout the country. The Wall of Honor is a symbol of pride and patriotism, and we’re proud to share them with the community,” Stauffer said.

“To have that Wall of Honor means a lot,” said four-year Liberty Heights resident Bill Patterson, a WWII veteran who served in the Medical Corps. “I was glad to serve my country. We have a lot of people here who served our country and love our country. We’re one big happy family and I feel at home here at Liberty Heights.”

Dowell Wright served in the U.S. Navy during WWII for two years and said he appreciates the wall because it is a way for people to recognize and remember the sacrifices that veterans have made for their country.

“A lot of people don’t know what veterans have done for our country, so it’s nice that they are moving it to a place where it can be seen by everyone,” Wright said.

Wright has been a resident at Liberty Heights for two and a half years, and absolutely loves the hospitality and fellowship of the independent living community.

“It’s one of the best places for veterans,” he said.

Stauffer said the Wall of Honor has been one of the biggest projects they’ve done for residents at Liberty Heights, and hopes the wall serves as a reminder to never forget the war heroes who served our country.

“We want this wall to be something very special and amazing for our veterans, because they are a very important part of our community,” she said.

Story and photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

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