A project in Greene County to commemorate part of its past will have its first public event on Sunday.

Chuck Offenburger is one of the organizers of the “Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey,” where 32 school-age teens and two teachers from then newly formed school building in the Rippey area, fought in the Civil War. A program will be held on Sunday at 2pm at the Greene County Historical Museum.

Offenburger says following his initial presentation to a Greene County High School class this past spring, several students were inspired to seek a public memorial honoring their service, in which nine of the students and one teacher lost their lives either in combat or from war-related illnesses. During the program on Sunday, Offenburger notes that the ten-member committee will highlight some of the activities and programs that are taking place next year in recognition of the country turning 250 years old. 

Offenburger states that they are also seeking monetary donations to help pay for the $95,000 for all of the programming, as well as two monuments at the Greene County Courthouse and the Old Rippey Cemetery, along with commissioning a play based on the historical story, and other events. Sunday’s program is free and open to the public with refreshments served.