- April 18, 2024
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Col. Joey Boyles of the DAV speaks to the guests at the Walk of Heroes kickoff ceremony on May 2 while standing behind the stones that will honor the different branches of the U.S. military. Photo by Paige Wilson
A granite display honoring World War II veterans is the first installed of the planned Walk of Heroes memorial. Photo by Paige Wilson
Home Depot General Manger Ronnie Wells accepts a thank-you certificate from Col. Joey Boyles of the DAV. Photo by Paige Wilson
Frank Gomez of Luxury Kitchen and Bath in Palm Coast holds up a thank-you plaque from the DAV. Photo by Paige Wilson
The flag pole outside the Disabled American Veterans Jim Boone Chapter 86 in Palm Coast will soon be surrounded with bricks honoring local veterans, as well as stones commemorating the different branches of the U.S. military, the DAV and the DAV Auxiliary.
A total of 680 bricks were stacked high outside the DAV located at 27 Florida Park Drive during the "Walk of Heroes" fundraiser kickoff on Wednesday, May 2. The DAV is selling commemorative brick pavers to the public to serve as a lasting tribute to local veterans and their spouses.
Each brick is about 4-by-8-by-2 inches and will carry a logo (if requested) and three lines of 15 characters per line. For a limited time, the price of the pavers is one for $45, two for $40 and three for $35 each.
“We’re trying to limit it to the spouses of the DAV members because we want to make sure we have enough to do that, but we’re not going to limit it to that,” said Col. Joey Boyles, of the DAV.
Granite displays will serve as a memorial from World War I to the present wars in Southwest Asia. The World War II memorial is already in place — thanks to The Home Depot and Luxury Kitchens and Baths for donations of materials, time and labor. The DAV is asking for donations to purchase and install the remaining memorials.
This project has been weeks in the making, as the DAV has been working with the city of Palm Coast to get a permit. At first, the city required a fence, landscaping and irrigation for the project, said Ernie Morris, of the DAV. But after emails between the city and the Palm Coast Observer following the kickoff ceremony on May 2, as well as clarification between the city and the DAV, a new permit was completed and approved without the previous requirements on May 4.
The DAV hopes to begin the project construction soon, now that the updated permit has been approved.
