By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Construction began on the National Veterans Shrine at American Village about a year ago, and with the project nearing completion, American Village employees are getting excited.

Special projects director Johnny Curry is no exception. Curry has worked full time with American Village since June 2006 and served four terms in the Alabama state house of representatives for Jefferson and Shelby counties four terms prior to joining the American Village staff.

At the Montevallo Chamber Luncheon Aug. 21, Curry spoke about a project he finds important, the Veterans’ Register of Honor.

The register, a new database honoring all current and former American military members, will be housed in the Veterans Shrine once it is completed.

Curry said there is no other database in the county like the new Register of Honor. He noted the existence of a database for World War II veterans and another for members of the U.S. Navy, but said there is no database out there for all American military members.

Curry said the database is important because more than 40 million men and women have worn the uniform since our country’s founding.

“That’s the reason we’re building the National Veterans Shrine, to honor those 40 million people,” Curry said.

Once completed, Curry said the shrine would be a replica of Carpenter’s Hall, the building where the first Continental Congress met, and the interior will house an interactive exhibit showcasing the service and sacrifice of the American military.

Curry encouraged everyone at the luncheon to submit biographical information, photos and stories about veterans they know once the database is operational, which he expects to happen Sept. 24. The only requirements for submitting are that the person served honorably and was given honorable discharge and the person served under the U.S. flag.

“This is for everybody,” he said. “And it’s free.”

He also said multiple stories could be uploaded about a single person. Each person who submits has his or her own unique password, and he or she can create or contribute to any post.

For more information, visit Americanvillage.org.