About 100 residents of Ashford and nearby communities gathered at the Ashford Historic Depot Friday morning to cut the ribbon for the new Veterans’ Honor Room at the Train Depot Museum.
“It’s really to honor Ashford residents that served at some point in all different wars,” city councilman Blake Rosenkoetter said. “It’s to honor the sacrifices they made for us so that we could do what we do here today.”
He said the effort was completely taken on by the community and volunteers who had deep-routed ties to the Depot.
He and other city leaders said they hope to begin to open the Depot and its museum up to the public regularly.
Rep. Paul Lee invited Ashford Mayor Carole Barfield to help him cut the ribbon, singing his praises for the addition.
“The history tells the story of where you’re going in many cases,” he said. “We’ve been very fortunate in the state of Alabama, particularly in the Wiregrass and even deeper here in Ashford, for the military support over the many years. Everyone was willing and ready to sacrifice and to get out and do what they could.”
He said the stories from those who served were important to cherish.
“This just reminds us of those that many times went off, came back and never told their story. Now, their families are willing and want to tell the story,” he said. “Their legacy continues through this memorial. What you see today is the benefit of those people way back then that knew how valuable and what the history was in this building.”
