Signal Mountain Veterans commemorate local Medal of Honor recipient
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. — (July 31, 2019) – The Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center has announced that construction is underway on a new roadside historical marker dedicated to local Medal of Honor recipient Charles H. Coolidge. The dedication ceremony, which will take place on August 10 at 11:00 AM in Signal Mountain Town Hall, is open to all members of the public.
Funded by the Signal Mountain Veterans Group, the historical marker commemorates the life and legacy of Signal Mountain resident Charles H. Coolidge, one of only three remaining Medal of Honor recipients to have served in World War II.
“This historical marker is a fitting tribute to an exceptionally heroic individual,” says Keith A. Hardison, Executive Director for the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. It will remind citizens and visitors alike of the great American that calls Signal Mountain home.”
A joint effort between the Town of Signal Mountain and the Signal Mountain Veterans Group, the historical marker chronicles the events leading up to Coolidge’s receipt of the Medal of Honor. An onsite, interactive roadside marker will allow visitors to not only read Coolidge’s biography, but to also access an online video narrated by Coolidge himself.
“The marker will have a QR code that can be scanned with a smart phone,” explains George Davenport, a member of the Signal Mountain Veterans Group. “It will take you to a video on the Signal Mountain Veterans Group web page, and you will hear Coolidge himself describe the action.”
Several local businesses and organizations have stepped forward to assist in constructing the marker: Peppers Construction has donated labor and materials for the assembly of the historical marker’s wall, and Lang-Scape, LLC has provided the landscaping design and materials. “We owe our sincerest gratitude to those who have helped make this project possible,” says Jerry Pala, Treasurer of the Signal Mountain Veterans Group. “It’s inspiring to see that so many in our community recognize the importance of preserving TSgt. Coolidge’s story.”
