On November 24, county officials announced that the proposed memorial for Opha May Johnson, a native of Kokomo and the first female Marine in the United States, will not be placed on the Howard County Courthouse square. The Howard County Commissioners clarified that they would not approve placing the memorial on the northwest side of the courthouse square as originally requested.
The decision by the commissioners was influenced by the courthouse security committee, which reiterated its preference for an unobstructed secured entrance on the west side for safety reasons. This committee, consisting of county judges, commissioners, council members, the prosecutor, sheriff, and county clerk, led to the decision to seek another location for the memorial.
While County officials remain supportive of the memorial, additional possible locations, such as the public greenspace on Mulberry Street or north of the Howard County Administration Center, have been suggested. The Howard County Memorial Corporation, behind the Women’s Legacy Memorial, is responsible for the proposed monument to honor Johnson and has already raised the necessary funds to move forward with the project.
The monument, carved by renowned sculptor Benjamin Victor, includes three separate walls, decorative landscaping, and a bench. These features will celebrate Johnson’s legacy and military service, with the memorial already gaining recognition with other existing dedications in her honor.
For more information, contact Tyler Juranovich at 765-454-8577, by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at @tylerjuranovich.
