TALLADEGA — The Public Library Board has issued a renewed appeal for photos and information to be displayed in the Hall of Heroes, a portion of the new library wing now under construction.Any Talladega County resident who served on active duty in any branch of the armed forces during wartime is eligible for a spot. Families are encouraged to submit a photograph, which will be returned, and a biography of no more than 100 words. Biographies without photographs will also be accepted.
The biography can contain the name, date of birth, date of induction, unit, training, battles, memorable experiences, date of discharge and details of postwar life, among other information.
"This is a great project, and something we’re all very excited about," librarian David Farrar said. "The problem is, we’re just not getting the kind of response we need. This is a large space, but so far we’ve only got about four or five entries in hand. We need hundreds, if not thousands more."
The project is being spearheaded by an independent committee chaired by Bobbie Trussell. The committee has already begun the first phase of compiling the names of all Talladega County soldiers killed in action from World War I forward. This task is being carried out with the assistance of Talladega College students.
The Hall of Heroes is not limited to this time frame, however. Anyone who served from the American Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan has earned their spot.
The Hall will be located between the expanded children’s section and the new genealogy room. The pictures will not be displayed in alphabetical or chronological order, so that new ones may be added as they come in. In addition to the individual photos, group photos may also be submitted, and a print of the famous Joe Rosenthal photograph of the flag raising on Mt. Surabachi on Iwo Jima will also be displayed. Three of the four Marines shown in that photograph arrived at Iwo Jima on the attack transport U.S.S. Talladega.
Photos and biographies can be delivered to the library, and the original photographs can also be picked up there once they have been scanned. Monetary donations are also welcome. For more information, contact the library at (256) 362-4211, Trammell at (256) 362-8576, or board member Judy Royal at (256) 362-3835.
Also Monday, the board:
o Got a written construction update from architect Cal Munroe, but parts of the report were not clear. Farrar said he would speak with Munroe and get a clarification. Still, Farrar said, the board is more satisfied with the progress being made now than in the past.
o Heard Farrar report on forums he had attended at conventions in Chicago and Birmingham on topics including genealogy and construction.
o Heard that the summer reading program was a success, in spite of numbers slightly lower than last year due to construction.
o Discussed contacting property owners on either side of the library about acquiring additional parking space.
