Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OGDEN — Outside the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden sits a monument to soldiers from Utah who earned Purple Heart medals. There are more than 1,500 names etched in granite tablets, and hundreds more in waiting.
"We're just unique in a certain way, and our brotherhood stands together," former Marine Jay Wells said. "This is a living historical tribute to servicemen."
Wells and fellow former Marine John Cole are working together to make sure each Purple Heart recipient from Utah gets his or her name engraved. Both of them wear the medal: Cole was wounded in Vietnam; Wells in North Korea.
"It was something that needed to be done," Cole stated simply. "Every veteran who puts on the uniform is saying, 'I'm ready to forfeit my life if that need be.’ ”
The project started with a single monument that was dedicated in 2003. From there, Cole and Wells say soldiers and family members kept coming forward, and the two veterans decided their job was far from over.
"Every one of these men, in his own right, was a hero and did a lot for his country," Wells said. "They should be recognized for that fact."
There are now 10 additional tablets, each with just over 100 names on them. The granite slabs were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wells and Cole still have one blank slab and more than 600 names, that they know of. They hope to eventually continue the effort with a sandstone monument at the Southern Utah Veterans home in Ivins.
Every one of these men, in his own right, was a hero and did a lot for his country. They should be recognized for that fact.
–Jay Wells, U.S. Marine veteran
"It just keeps growing," Wells said.
The two former Marines also say they'll likely never finish their mission, though they have faith that someone will eventually take over the reins.
"We were criticized for doing this because we'd never see the end of it," Cole said. "But both Jay and I feel that we're not looking at the grass from the root side, but from the green side."
To contact Jay Wells, call 801-791-5392, and to contact John Cole, call 801-690-6837.
