By Linda Stinnett

 An addition planned for the Derby Area Veterans Memorial – Walk of Freedom will honor those who kept the home fires burning while their spouses served in the military.

Jim Coffey, a longtime Derby resident and veteran, was inspired to fund the addition in recognition of the efforts of his late wife.

“Sara was here taking care of our home and children while I was deployed,” he said. “She didn’t have a driver’s license, so she had to make arrangements for transportation while I was away.”

The tribute area to spouses will be named Keep the Home Fires Burning, taken from the World War I song of the same name. The bronze statue Patriotic Boy, which depicts a young boy dressed in his father’s military gear, will be placed on a pillar in the Walk of Freedom. 

A bench to go with the bronze has been purchased by Ron Wolf, in memory of his father, Carlton Wolf. 

The new section will be unveiled this year on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. Nearly 80 new bricks have been purchased for the Walk of Freedom. Additional bricks purchased by Aug. 1 will be included. 

Go to derbyweb.com,  or derbycf.org to download forms; pick them up at the Derby Welcome Center; or email the Derby Community Foundation at admin@derbycf.org to purchase a brick.

User Comments

• Military Spouses

  "I'm so glad to see that we are finally honoring military spouses. Being a former spouse this makes me smile."

  Posted by LadyBug on Jun. 28, 2012