North Canton City Schools Supports Campaign To Build Wall Of Heroes

Building Veterans Memorial A Penny At Time

North Canton City Schools has joined the campaign to raise funds to build a veterans memorial in North Canton’s Bitzer Park.

The district is conducting a penny drive to contribute to the $40,000 being sought to build what’s being called the Wall of Heroes.

“We are excited to be a small, but important part of this civic initiative,” District Superintendent Michael Gallina said. “As each student or student group participates, they give energy to the overall effort.”

Gallina praised the committee, chaired by W. Roderic Covey, who will be creating a memorial that pays tribute to veterans from seven wars.

“The effort and commitment of Mr. Covey and his group is both admirable and noble,” said Gallina.

Covey believes the involvement of the school district will increase involvement of the community as a whole.

“I think having the school system involved is this project is paramount to success,” Covey said. “Every single persona at North Canton City Schools has been exuberant about the project and totally supportive.”

Covey said, “I think the North Canton School District is so successful and so appreciated by the county; because of that the county will in turn embrace this project.”

According to Gallina, raising funds for the Wall of Heroes provides an opportunity for learning.

He said, “The history lesson and appreciation for our veterans increases the students' awareness for the phrase, 'lest we forget’. We honor our veterans and we honor our city's heritage by participating in this effort.”

Director of Curriculum Peggy McClain agreed.

She said, “Projects like the Hoover WWII plaque/Wall of Heroes is an excellent opportunity for children of all ages to know the connection of historical events that they learn about in social studies classes to real happenings and real people right in their neighborhood.”

“Such connections make history more meaningful to them,” McClain said.

Eric McAllister

Eric McAllister, a second grader at Northwood Elementary School, said he was happy to hear that the school district would be raising money for the Wall of Heroes.

“My great grandpa fought in the Korean War and he would tell me stories about it,” McAllister said.

Asked what he thinks about soldiers who go to war, McAllister said, “I think it’s great they’re fighting for our country.”

The seven-year-old has donated $60 to the project, all in pennies.

As of February 20, according to Principal Benny Griffiths, $227.54 has been collected at Northwood Elementary.

“The Northwood Community of students, staff and parents have embraced the WW II memorial project with open arms,” Griffiths said.

“Just by talking to young children about what’s the purpose of this project it gives boys and girls an opportunity to say thank you to the veterans from North Canton who served their county,” said Griffiths. “I know it’s nice to talk about patriotism and about veterans that gave all so we can enjoy our freedom.”

Griffiths said, “We’re really excited about being a part of history here in North Canton, of the wall that will be built in Bitzer Park”

North Canton Middle School has collected has collected well over $300 in about a week-and-a-half, according to Principal John Stanley.

The project is personally important to Stanley.

“Both my father and my wife’s mother and father served in World War II and I have three nephews serving in Iraq,” Stanley said. “I feel that our kids need to know freedom isn’t free. I like the fact that all those memorials are going to be put together in one place to view and appreciate.”

The project was well received at North Canton Middle School.

“The staff was very, very receptive. I’d say a huge part of my staff lives in or very close to North Canton and felt very connected that it is community driven. Trying to get the kids involved appealed to them,” Stanley said.

A lot of social studies teachers are tying the project into their curriculum, according to the principal.

Stanley said, “We feel like we’ve had a great response from the students and the parents. We’ve had some parents send in paper money with their kids.”

Hoover High School has pledged $1000 to the wall.

“We’re working with our Key Club members, our student council members and our staff,” Principal Anthony Pallija said. “We’ve had various fund raisers going on throughout the building the past few weeks.”

The committee responsible for building the Wall of Heroes is seeking donations totaling $40,000. Donations are being accepted at all Legal Bank locations; checks should be made out to the World War II Memorial Fund.