Fallen Marine’s Name Added To Walnut Hill Veterans Wall Of Honor

August 23, 2011

The name of fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Travis M. Nelson was added Monday to the Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor.  Nelson was the first soldier from the Walnut Hill area to be killed in action since 1969.

The wall’s caretaker, Billy R. Ward, has engraved each of the nearly 300 veterans’ names that appear on the memorial. Nelson’s was especially hard for the 23-year Air Force Veteran.

“It’s tough to add the name of such a young man to the wall,” Ward said as he carefully used an antique engraving machine to carefully carve Nelson’s name in a long piece of black plastic. “I’ve never had to add a name to the Killed In Action section. I never wanted to have to do this.”

The nearly 300 names on the Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor are of brave men and women who have served in the armed forces. All were residents of, or otherwise significantly connect to, the Walnut Hill area. The 13 names of soldiers that died in action were placed on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. Five of the names were from the World War II era; the others were all from prior to 1970.

In addition to Lance Cpl. Nelson, the are two other Marines that were killed in action honored on the wall. Best buddies Michael D. Cruit and Jerry W. Corley spent their summers together in the Walnut Hill area. The inseparable best friends joined the Marines in 1967, and both where killed in action in Vietnam in 1968.

The Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor is located at the Walnut Hill Community Center (also known as the “Ruritan Building”) at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School. It is maintained by the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.

Pictured top and inset : Caretaker Billy R. Ward engraves the name of Travis M. Nelson and places it on the Walnut Hill Wall of Honor Monday morning. Pictured below: The Wall of Honor, the name being engraved and Ward preparing to return the Killed In Action panel to the wall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Fallen Marine’s Name Added To Walnut Hill Veterans Wall Of Honor”

  1. Bonnie on August 25th, 2011 11:53 pm

    An inspiring article for the man, Billy Ward, and his contribution. Thank you for your service to this country and the men and women who continue to serve. You honor them all with your dedication.

  2. Billy on August 25th, 2011 3:32 pm

    Thank you all for the gracious comments about the Veterans Wall of Honor. The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club is honored to provide it for the community.

    Several years ago Mr. Lee Roy Wiggins brought the Honor Wall idea to the club which unanimously supported it. I’m honored to have a small part in maintaining it.

    Those named individuals on the wall deserve the credit for their contribution in keeping us free. Most of all are those in the center, the Heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and their families.

  3. FHS Girl on August 24th, 2011 5:18 pm

    Thank you Mr. Ward for your time in the military, and for what you’re doing now! May God bless you! We all need to remember to keep the Nelson family in our prayers.

  4. Joe Walker on August 24th, 2011 4:05 pm

    Thank you Mr. Ward for your service to our heros and their memory. I have not visited the memorial yet, because I did not know of it, but I will now!! Looking forward to the visit.

  5. Beckie Nelson on August 24th, 2011 3:58 am

    Thank You Mr. Ward, and to the Ruritan Club. Travis actually received an award from the Ruritan Club while he was at Bratt Elementary. God Bless everyone for all their thoughts and prayers during such a difficult time!

  6. BOGIAN on August 23rd, 2011 7:27 pm

    This is a wonderful way to honor our fallen service members. Thanks to the Ruritan club for their efforts, and to Mr. Billy. He is the best neighbor you could ever have, and one of the finest men I have ever known.

  7. Jim Salisbury on August 23rd, 2011 5:03 pm

    This is a very good man….thanks

  8. Allan on August 23rd, 2011 3:46 pm

    Like all the brave souls that have stayed the course, and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Mr. Ward stays the course in making sure that no one is forgotten…appreciate you Mr. Ward… and to the family of L/Cpl Travis M. Nelson, my sincerest condolences for your loss…

    As a former Marine, Semper Fi and Rest in Peace L/Cpl Nelson…L’est We Forget…

  9. EMD on August 23rd, 2011 1:32 pm

    Billy, I had no idea you were doing this, and my late husband’s name is on that wall. Thank you for doing this. It’s been a while since my friend and I have seen you. Wondering if you still attend the Wednesday morning meetings. Have missed you. Hoping all is well.

  10. Rita on August 23rd, 2011 11:20 am

    God Bless You, Mr. Ward (Billy). I know this was a painful thing to have to do and it is heartbreaking that this young man’s name is being added to the list of those who have made the supreme sacrifice. I’m so grateful to the men and women who serve our country. We are forever indebted to Travis and to all of them. I pray God be with this family and hold them close now and forever.

    Rita Dagen

  11. Pat Corley on August 23rd, 2011 10:04 am

    Thank you Mr. Billy, and I speak for Jerry, Mike and daddy……GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!

  12. ewalum on August 23rd, 2011 9:35 am

    Thank you for this service to the community, Mr. Ward. I hope it’s the last engraving job you have to do for this plaque.

  13. JimD on August 23rd, 2011 8:34 am

    This is a great story, and an honorable way to remember the fallen in the community. This veteran’s memorial is not just for the fallen heroes. I think the memorial is to honor those military members from the Walnut Hill Community that thought more about their country and how they could contribute; than themselves and entered the service. As you see from some of the dates i.e. 1980 – 2005 denoted service time.

    In any case, this is a grand gesture on from the community to honor those how served.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News