The Eureka Springs School of the Arts held a ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11, honoring the legacy of longtime staff member Carl James “Jim” McCoy, who passed away last December.

McCoy worked tirelessly to establish and expand veterans’ programs at ESSA, beginning with the seed of an idea in 2017. He was the driving force behind the creation of an annual veteran’s appreciation event, a dedicated veterans scholarship fund, and an ongoing partnership with the VA Healthcare System of the Ozarks.

ESSA seeks to keep the memory of McCoy alive through continuing their veterans programs in his name, and forever remembering him as a beloved staff member, friend, father and veteran.

In honor of his dedication to ESSA’s veterans programs and all of his fellow military veterans, ESSA has renamed the ESSA Veterans Program Fund to the Jim McCoy Veterans Fund to recognize his legacy of service.

During the naming ceremony on Nov. 11, a commemorative plaque was awarded to Mc-Coy’s widow, Kathy, and his family in memory of his contributions to our community and to his fellow veterans.

A US military veteran himself, McCoy served in Vietnam with the 8th Cavalry Airmobile where he was awarded the Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for his service. He always remembered his Vietnam Veteran brothers and all who served, especially honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Jim McCoy Veterans Fund will provide scholarships and free workshops for US military veterans several times each year, including during our annual Veterans Appreciation Day in November. If you wish to donate to the Jim McCoy Veterans Fund, visit the ESSA website at www. essa-art.org or call the ESSA office at 479253.5384.