As the summer heat filled downtown Lula on Saturday night, people gathered around the fountain and brick wall in Lula’s Veterans Park for a candlelight service and dedication of 204 new bricks inscribed with the names of war veterans.

“We just wanted to dedicate the new bricks and have a short service so people could come out and see them,” said Vicky Chambers, city councilwoman and president of the Belton Lula Historical Society.

Chambers said money collected from the bricks will benefit the town.

The Lula Historical Society has sold bricks for a year and a half at $50 apiece. But during that time, the Historical Society has had its share of setbacks.

“With the economy the way it is, it wasn’t easy to sell 204 bricks,” Chambers said. “When we sent the order out, the guy had lost our bricks. And then when we got the bricks back up here, some of the names were wrong, so we had to get those redone.”

Despite the setbacks, there are still more empty bricks available for purchase.

Chambers said once the wall is complete, they will move on to the walkway.

Later this fall, Chambers said another dedication will be held in Veterans Park.

“We will put in more picnic tables and expand and make it a more family-friendly park so that families can come out and enjoy it,” Chambers said. “I think it is important to have something like this that pulls the community together.”

Bill Harris, the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Northeast Georgia Chapter 772, said he was honored to honor those who have gone before him.

“These men have put out so much for our country,” Harris said. “It gives you goose bumps when kids come up and give you a hug and say, ‘thank you.’ It is a real honor.”

Chambers said without the veterans, “there would be nothing for us to enjoy, which is why it is so important for them to know how appreciated they are.”

To contact Chambers about purchasing a brick, you may call her at her business, Around the Corner Florist, 770-869-3516.