The Story Behind the Photo
By Bobby Bice
During World War II, many communities throughout the United States erected honor roll boards dedicated to their local servicemen and servicewomen. Harrison County had several communities with such honor boards, a few of which included Anmoore, Hepzibah, Enterprise, and Shinnston. The honor roll at Enterprise was located where the current parking lot is for the Enterprise Post Office. Shinnston’s Honor Roll Board, shown in the accompanying image, was located at the northeast corner of Pike and Clement Streets.
The first board was erected during the beginning of the war. I have a photo of it in my collection and it was about half the size of the one shown here. Some communities had stone monuments; Shinnston’s was wood construction with painted names. It was a project sponsored by the American Legion Post #1 of Shinnston and the Legion Auk liary. Additional donations came from several local businesses, organizations, and families throughout Clay District.
On Sunday, November 8th, 19, a parade down Pike Street preceded a dedication ceremony for the original honor board. Unlike most parades that travel from north to south through town, this parade traveled from the southern end and appropriately ended at the Honor Roll Board. The parade was led by an Honor Guard, followed by the Shinnston High School Band, then several local civil defense units and veterans organizations. After the parade, a ceremony was held to officially dedicate the Clay District Honor Roll Board. Over 3,000 people are recorded to have attended the ceremony.
The old wooden honor board was unable to withstand nature’s constant weather pattern and was dismantled long ago. For many years, a Sunoco station operated on this corner, which later became a regular auto service center. During the late 19′ s, the American Legion Auk liary spearheaded a project to construct a more modern and permanent veterans memorial on the same site as the original. A dedication ceremony was held on May 30 th 19 for the current Clay District Veterans Memorial.
And that is this month’s story behind the photo.