A rendering of the memorial mural containing photos of Whiteland graduates who are first responders and service members killed in the line of duty.
Submitted by Jenny Zahm
Whiteland Community High School will soon have a memorial wall to honor fallen servicemembers and first responders.
The project was brought up after Trooper Aaron Smith’s death last year, said Jenny Zahm, executive director of Clark-Pleasant Education Foundation. Smith is a WCHS graduate who died in the line of duty for the Indiana State Police. The school corporation wanted a way to honor fallen service members like him.
A committee formed to spearhead the project decided to create a “Memorial Wall and Hero area” at the high school. The memorial will recognize Whiteland High School, Clark High School and Whiteland Community High School graduates who have died in the line of duty.
The wall will honor all branches of the military and first responders.
Photos of Staff Sgt. Larry Glover, Class of 1966; Sgt. Gary Henry, Class of 1992; Spc. James Waters, Class of 2008; Sgt. Joseph Proctor, Class of 1987 and Smith, Class of 2008 will be featured on the wall. Photos and the permission to use them were provided by each family, Zahm said.
The mural will be completed over spring break and will be located by Door #7, also known as the TeePee Door.
The committee is still gathering names to fill plaques that will also be hung in the area. For now, 8×10 frames with name lists will be placed in glass cases until more names are gathered. Community members can submit names, photos or memorabilia to contribute to the display at the main office of Whiteland Community High School, 300 E. Main St.
Any alumni who died in the line of duty is eligible to be included in the display, Zahm said.
To volunteer with the committee, or to submit names of fallen heroes, reach out to Jenny Zahm at [email protected].
