Lawrence County, Ky -- Eight brothers from Lawrence County will be honored on Friday, June 19, when KY 3394 is named the Ison Brothers Veterans Memorial Highway.

A ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at the Blaine Community Center. The public is welcome to attend, and veterans of military service are especially encouraged to join the family for this celebration. Four of the eight brothers are still living and will attend the event.

“The Isons had thirteen children,” said State Rep. Rocky Adkins, who was instrumental in getting the road named. “Two died as youngsters, Lonnie Emerson and Edna Marie. Of the 11 who lived to adulthood, eight of them served their country with honor as members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Civilian Conservation Corps. This kind of patriotism should be recognized, and it was a privilege for me to be a part of making this happen.”

The sons of James Ira and Loretta Ison, the brothers were born and reared on Cains Creek Road in Blaine. The eldest was born in 1919, the youngest in 1940. Their combined military service spanned almost four decades. One earned a Purple Heart. They all served honorably, and none was lost in combat.

Carl C. Ison was born December 26, 1919. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1936-1940, and joined the Navy in 1943. When he was honorably discharged in 1946 he was a Petty Officer 2nd Class and worked as an ammunition specialist. He died January 4, 1986.

Merrill Ison, born December 8, 1922, served in the CCC from 1938 to 1941, the year he joined the Navy. Upon his 1946 honorable discharge he was a Petty Officer 1st class. Merrill died April 2, 1991.

Archie Christopher Ison was born January 10, 1925. He was a Navy seaman from 1943-1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his efforts during the invasion of Anzio, Italy in World War II. Archie died May 29, 2002.

Howard Ison is the oldest of the brothers who is still living. He was born December 26, 1926. His military service began as a Navy seaman 1st class (1944-1946). He joined the United States Army in 1948, served two years as a radio operator, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Then he served in the Army Reserves for two years as a truck driver, maintaining the rank of Sergeant. From 1952 until 1972 – twenty years – he was in the Air Force, retiring as an Senior Master Sergeant. He worked as a vehicle maintenance superintendent and production analyst. He is coming on Friday from Tampa, Florida.

Kenneth Paul Ison also made a career of the Air Force. He was born December 20, 1928. He served from 1947 until 1968, retiring as a Technical Sergeant in vehicle and jet engine maintenance. He died July 24, 1996.

James Donald Ison, born June 14, 1931, served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and 8 months. He retired as a Technical Sergeant with specialties as a transportation dispatcher and in production control. He lives in Temple, Texas.

Robert Lowell Ison and Gusta Curtis Ison are both still living, too. Robert was born February 4, 1936. He served in the Air Force from March 11, 1958 until June 10, 1962. He was an electrical wireman, and was honorably discharged as an Airman 1st Class. Robert lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Born September 24, 1940, Curtis was a butcher and truck driver in the Air Force, attaining the rank of Airman 1st Class. He served from 1958 until 1962. He is coming to the event from San Jose, California.