Taking another look at the memorial wall

SWAN VALLEY – Imprinted on the tree slab segments above the door of the Swan Valley Community Hall are the words "Lest We Forget." Beneath them, another slab shows five saddled but riderless horses, the military symbol for fallen soldiers who will ride no more. To the right and left of the slabs are more than 100 wooden plaques containing the names and death-dates of military veterans who once lived in Swan Valley.

According to American Legion Post 63 Post Adjutant Ray Opp, the Veterans Memorial was started about 30 years ago when Bob Reed was Post Commander. Opp said Dale Aldridge was the one...