Monday ceremony honors six veterans of World War II
KY 2565 in Louisa named Preece Brothers Memorial Highway
LAWRENCE COUNTY (Tuesday, May 7, 2019) – William, Hiram, Haskell, Edwin, Rudolph, and James Preece were sons of Henry Garfield Preece and Ada Bell Davis Preece. They were six of 11 children, seven sons and four daughters. They each served honorably in World War II, three in the US Army, three in the US Navy. James volunteered for additional service in the Korean War, and was killed in action on September 5, 1950. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.
A Kentucky General Assembly resolution, sponsored by State Rep. Kathy Hinkle, honors their memory and their service to the United States and for the cause of freedom by putting their names on KY 2565 in Louisa: Preece Brothers Memorial Highway.
A ceremony to dedicate the highway is set for Monday, May 13, at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Louisa United Methodist Church. Friends of the Preece family and the general public are invited to attend.
The ceremony is hosted by Highway District 12, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and will feature State Rep. Hinkle and Shannon Preece, son of William Preece as speakers. Music will be provided by descendants of the Preece brothers, including Some Gave All, performed by Luke and Reece Trimble, great-grandchildren of William Preece, and The Star Spangled Bannerand God Bless the USA, performed by Lonijonli Fox, great-granddaughter of Hessie Ellen Preece Spurlock and great-grand-niece of the six brothers.
Personally I think that it shouldn’t be exclusively for this one family. There were plenty others in Louisa that fought inWW11 that served honorably. For instance, Jay Cox served in WW11 and lived to be 105 years old.
I believe the fact that this is six brothers from one family warrants the recognition. You won’t find six brothers these days that would be willing to serve their country.
When you get down to it, they have done more for you than those names on 23 have, They secured your freedom. Jay Cox should be remembered as a great man and luckily for his family he lived to be 105. My grandfather only lived to be 72. But that doesn’t mean that he and my great uncles don’t deserve to be honored. By age 23 my great uncle, James Preece served in 2 wars in 2 branches of the service. My great uncle Ed lost his leg in Germany.
But, It isn’t about age, who has more medals, or which branch was better…its about 6 brothers who loved living in Louisa and served their nation.
Best response yet! Your family definitely has my respect.
This is about a family that sent SIX sons to serve in the war…. Many of us had family members that served but how many of us had SIX brothers that served? I think that this is a great tribute!
Love and the deepest respect to my late husbands (Bill Sturgill’s) family for all their service.
my dad’s family there was 7 boy’s 6 served in the military including my dad one in WW2 2 in Korea and 3 in Vietnam the youngest one did not have to go.
there has been a Trump male in this country for 150 years not the first one has served in the military. I say there has been a lot of family’s that have 6 family members that have served.
Instead of complaining, how about you be thankful and grateful to these brave brothers for fighting for your freedom?
Would love to be there but I am in North Carolina now
Brothers in Arms.
True heroes in two ways.
They served well to save our country.
There were patriotic and honorable men in those days.
Happy to hear this!
Once a mother’s burden and grief beyond imagination. I’m glad to read that all except one made the return. Generally, a KIA Purple Heart recipient is given the honor of having roadways, bridges, buildings, and even ships named on their behalf.
That is part of my family .please let me know how to get in touch with some of the family
I am very proud of my husband’s family. My husband John T. Preece son of Hiram Preece had 6 sons that served in the Armed Forces also.. That makes 12 boys out of one family. That dose not include any other of son’s and grandsons. The Preece family is well deserving of this memorial.
Preece last name means son of fiery warrior.
I think a good 75% of the preeces have served.