Donald Ross - Ellison Wilson
World War II Memorial Dedication

Commissioner Marcus addresses the guests, many of whom are familiar faces.

A new memorial to World War II veterans Donald Ross and Ellison Wilson was dedicated on October 30 in Bert Winters Park in Juno Beach. The actual memorial marker is located on the southwest corner of the Donald Ross Road and Ellison Wilson Road intersection.

The ceremony was emceed by District 1 County Commissioner Karen Marcus. Speakers included Ross M. Gaffney, nephew of Donald Ross and Ed Wilson, nephew of Ellison Wilson. Harvey E. Oyer III, chairman of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, and Roger Buckwalter, chairman of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, also offered comments on the project.

Donald Ross moved to Kelsey City (later renamed Lake Park) in 1928 where he spent his childhood days roller skating along Dixie Highway and rowing to Singer Island for overnight camping trips. Lt. Ross led the 191st Tank Battalion in North Africa where his heroism earned him the Silver Star. Upon discovering wounded American soldiers pinned down by enemy fire, Ross put himself in harm’s way by circling his tanks around his comrades, allowing them time to escape. Ross later lost his life near Ramagen, France during the Battle of the Bulge, becoming the first Lake Park resident to die in the war.

Ellison Wilson moved from Wilder, Tenn. to Palm Beach County in 1923 at the age of 15. He and his father built their home along the Intracoastal Waterway in Lake Park only to see their house destroyed in the Hurricane of 1928. Wilson served honorably in the Army during World War II. He lost his life defending the country on Dec. 28, 1944 in Belgium.

Commissioner Marcus (second from right) and friends and family members related to Donald Ross and Ellison Wilson gather together after the dedication ceremony. (Click here to enlarge the picture)

An image of the actual memorial marker, located at the southwest corner of Ellison Wilson and Donald Ross Roads, is unveiled at the ceremony. Pictured above (l to r): Ross Gaffney (nephew of Donald Ross), Roger Buckwalter (chairman, Loxahatchee River Historical Society), Harvey Oyer (chairman of the board, Historical Society of Palm Beach County), Commissioner Karen Marcus and Ed Wilson (nephew of Ellison Wilson). (Click here to enlarge the picture)