Pictured are some of the 37 bricks laid Saturday along the Walk of Honor at the Armory in Marietta. Families, friends and veterans could have a brick engraved with a veteran’s name and have it placed along the walk. The ceremony is held twice a year during Veterans Day weekend and Memorial Day weekend. (Brett Dunlap)

Families and veterans came out to the Armory in Marietta Saturday to place new bricks inscribed with the names of those who served in the United States Armed Forces in honor of Veterans Day.

A large crowd came to the Veterans Walk of Honor at Armory Square on Front Street to watch as veterans and loved ones placed around 37 engraved memorial bricks honoring a veteran from the local area. The bricks had the name of the veteran, which branch of the military they served in and the years they served, as well other information.

Executive Director of the Washington County Veterans Service Commission Darren Shearlock talked about the sacrifices that are made when a family member joins the service, goes off and does their duty.

“These bricks hold more than just names,” he said. “They hold a legacy of service, sacrifice and unbreakable bonds.

“Each name is etched in stone and will become a story in our shared history. It is a long-lasting tribute to whose names are on those bricks.”

Jace and Dexter Townsend, front, help their father Jacob Townsend, rear, lay a brick with his name on it at the Walk of Honor at the Armory in Marietta. Townsend served in the U.S. Navy from 2013-2021 and his mother got him a brick to commemorate his service for Veterans Day. (Brett Dunlap)

It is important for everyone to honor those who serve as these were people who came from this area and served, Shearlock said.

“When you want to honor somebody, having it written in stone means permanence,” he said. “We should permanently honor the sacrifices they made.

“In moments of peace, they stood ready. In times of war, they stood firm. They held the line so others could live in safety, never asking for fame, nor for glory. And now, in their names, we see their valor, their courage, their devotion carved in stone.”

Sue Seyler Kelley, who grew up in Marietta and now lives in North Canton, Oh., came to place bricks for her father, Captain Paul J. Seyler who served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, and her aunt, Mildred Seyler who served in the U.S. Army as a nurse from 1943 to 1947.

Her father served on the homefront during World War II and her aunt served in the Philippines during the war where Kelley said she saw “some really ugly stuff.”

Harold Kitchen, a U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard veteran, lays the bricks with the names of his three brothers William, Edward and Charles, who all served in the U.S. Army, along the Walk of Honor at the Armory in Marietta Saturday. Kitchen is the last of the brothers still living. His family already got him a brick and he placed his brothers’ bricks near his so they were all touching each other. (Brett Dunlap)

“They were born and raised in Marietta,” she said. “I think this is the right place for this.

“I think all veterans need to be remembered. We can’t thank them enough for their service.”

Navy veteran Jacob Townsend of Marietta was there with his family as his mother got him a brick. He served in the Navy 2013-2021.

“I didn’t know about it,” he said. “I think this is a cool idea.”

He did not know about the Walk of Honor at the Armory, but thought it was nice to have something like it to honor those who served, especially many of the older veterans and those who have passed.

Sue Seyler Kelley, who grew up in Marietta and now lives in North Canton, Oh., came to place bricks Saturday for her father, Captain Paul J. Seyler, who served on the homefront in the U.S. Army and her aunt, Mildred Seyler, who served in the U.S. Army as a nurse in the Philippines during World War II, along the Walk of Honor at the Armory in Marietta. (Brett Dunlap)

The brick laying event is held twice a year, during Veterans Day Weekend and Memorial Day Weekend, organizers said.

Having it at the Armory is special because it is the place where people would report when they shipped out, said Marietta City Councilman Harley Noland, who is also a past president of Armory Square Inc.

Each brick costs $75 as they are sent off to an engraver to be engraved. Armory Square Inc. uses the money from the brick sales to help support maintaining the Armory building. Money raised has been used for matching funds to help restore the building.

“It is helping to preserve the Armory as a mixed-use community center,” Noland said.

Former Marietta Mayor Michael “Moon” Mullen, who works with Armory Square Inc., said it was interesting to hear all of the stories families tell about their veterans.

Executive Director of the Washington County Veterans Service Commission Darren Shearlock, left, spoke Saturday to a group gathered at the Walk of Honor at the armory in Marietta. There were 37 bricks placed by family, friends and veterans in honor of someone who served in the military to commemorate Veterans Day. (Brett Dunlap)

“They are incredible stories because they are the truest stories of their hearts,” he said. “This is a way for us to memorialize and recognize them.

“There are over 5,000 bricks in this installation and there are over 5,000 stories. We are here to tell a few of those.”

Harold Kitchen, who served six years in the U.S. Army and 19 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, had three bricks put down for his brothers who have now preceded him in death.

They all served in the U.S. Army, with William serving from 1953-1955, Edward from 1958-1964 and Charles from 1960-1963. Harold’s family previously put a brick down for him and now all four bricks are grouped together on the walk.

“Howard is the last of his siblings and his last brother passed away in August,” said Kelly Kitchen, Harold’s daughter-in-law. “They were brothers in life and brothers in service.”

People interested in getting a brick for a veteran can find applications on the Armory Square Inc. Facebook page and at the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. People can also call Jan Powell at 740-706-1770 for more information.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com