Many of us grow up having a hero. For Cheryl Spriggs, it started with one and has grown to include thousands. Her father served in the army during World War II.  She grew up hearing his stories of the sacrifice and bravery of those with whom he served.
And in her eyes, he was a true hero. “My father, Delbert F. Wooten served in WWII as a corporal and an anti-aircraft gunner,” Spriggs said. “He and his crew fought in five major battles from Normandy to the Rhineland. As a child, many relatives would come in uniform to see my dad. I learned to respect and appreciate their service to our country.”

Years later, Spriggs had a chance encounter that led her to many other heroes – and her determination to honor them. “I was at the Highlands Museum and saw a picture of a Memorial Wall from 1944.” The Boyd County World War II Honor Roll Wall built by the American Legion contained the names of over 6000 individuals from Ashland and Boyd County who fought or were otherwise involved in the war.

That wall, located at 13th Street and Carter Avenue, contained wooden panels hand painted by W.B. Young. With no money set aside for upkeep, it fell into disrepair and was torn down in 1954. “But Bill Martin made a replica which is on the second floor of the museum,” Spriggs explained. “And he also recorded a list of all the names on that wall.”

Seeing the replica set the wheels in motion. Spriggs, a long-time member of the Ashland Rotary Club, took the idea of rebuilding this wall to the club in 2015 and the members immediately accepted the challenge. But because of various roadblocks and delays, such as the Covid pandemic, the project took longer than anticipated. Nonetheless, she persevered and put together a team of experts to bring it to fruition. Spriggs is certain she had divine help in that process.

“I needed an engineer,” Spriggs said, “and one day I’m talking to my new neighbor Jason Wright who informed me he was an engineer. I explained the project and he was in. I needed an electrical engineer, and one day I met Michael Garlinger on the elevator. I explained the project and he was in.” 

The others who came aboard were Dave Young, Kim Jenkins to do landscaping, Brandy Clark for graphic design, Ben Collier represented the labor union, John Clevenger as treasurer, Curtis Bowman for welding, and Jeremiah Adkins from WB Fosson as project manager. “They have all donated their time and expertise, Spriggs said. “They are patriots and love their country.”

Spriggs also expressed thanks to the City Commission and Ashland city manager, Mike Graese. “Mike had a vision of where the memorial should be located,” Spriggs said, “and was able to secure the spot at 17th Street and Carter Avenue.”

With everyone in place, planning proceeded. And on August 28, 2024, a ground breaking was held for the Honoring Heroes World War II Memorial. Plans call for the memorial to be nine feet long with brick pillars at each end. The panels are four feet wide and six feet tall. Each of the four panels will be printed with names on the front and back. Ghost images from the war will be on each panel. It will be adorned with four service flags and an American flag as well as military seals. The center panels will list donors on one side with a dedication on the other. “Most military has only names of the deceased,” Spriggs explained, “but this will list names of all who went to war from Ashland and Boyd County.”

Currently there are 6,175 names listed, although that number could increase as other names are located, 239 are Gold Stars. While his name is not listed on the wall because he lived in Ironton, Ohio and went to service from there, Spriggs said her father remained an inspiration throughout the process.

“My heart is full,” Spriggs said, “working on this project has been very emotional at times. But these people deserve respect. This is not my story. Each of these individuals fought for the freedom we have today. Each has their own story, and they will be forever memorialized.”