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The Jefferson County Veterans Association Memorial Wall, located in Friendship Park in Smithfield, is nearing completion. The project began more than eight years ago to recognize and honor the county's military veterans. After years of planning, fundraising and hundreds of volunteer hours spent laboring, the final phase of installing artificial turf is in progress. The Memorial Wall is 6 feet at its apex, 43 feet half-circle and constructed with 16 panels displaying 888 names as far back to the War of 1812. Initial plans were to have two panels displaying 90 names. Within the first six months, more than 300 brick requests were submitted and grew every month. Officials had to revise plans to accommodate the names. Organizers had to stop taking requests, as there was no more room to build. The final phase of installing turf is slated to be complete prior to Smithfield's Memorial Day program, scheduled for 3 p.m. May 27. Those working on the final phase includes, from left, Tony Phillippi, JCVA finance officer, Jeff Evans of ForeverLawn Penn-Ohio in Canfield and JCVA adjunct Barry Bardone.
— Contributed